Summer is a time that is a favorite among many people in the world. If you don’t live in a place that is humid and wet as the ocean, and you don’t live in a desert where the scorching rays of the brightest star in the sky fry an egg on your windshield, summer is a time where you’re free from normal obligations, you can enjoy the elements, get a tan, hang out on the water, eat ice cream, barbeque, and generally make memories that will last you a lifetime.
Just because summer comes with so many positive things attached to it doesn’t mean that it’s all good. There are many things to be wary of in the summer heat. If you’re not sure exactly what that means, it means that with all the good that is going on, you might neglect your own health in the process. Here are tips for keeping yourself healthy in the heat of the summer:
Be Mindful of the Sun
It might be your goal to soak up all the sun you possible can over the course of the summer, but you have to do this with caution. Your body needs Vitamin D to function, but you can actually get what you need with minimal sun exposure. The more realistic reason you’re probably wanting to soak up the summer sun is because you want to be tan. This is something to be cautious of, especially depending on the skin type you have.
If you burn easy, don’t neglect wearing sunscreen. It’s okay to want to be tan, but you have to exercise safe sun practices. Sit under an umbrella, manage your direct contact, lotion up often, and don’t be stupid.
Drink Water
Summer is a popular time to drink alcohol and mix it with high sun exposure, among other things. It’s all fine in moderation, but if you want to stay healthy in the heat of summer, you need to be drinking enough water. If you’re sweating, swimming, drinking, playing in the elements, or just breathing, your body is using up water and you have to replenish yourself.
This is especially true if you’ve been tanning. If you want to be healthy, recover from your alcohol binges, or if you want your tan to stick around and not completely fry your skin so that you look old and worn as leather when you’re 60, water is the secret ingredient. The more you drink, the better you’ll look and feel, so don’t neglect it.
Get Enough Sleep
Lastly, but not the last thing you have to think about to stay healthy in summer, is getting enough sleep. Summer is full of working, partying, staying up late, and doing all the things, but if you don’t get enough sleep, you’ll pay for it. If you want to continue enjoying your summer, don’t push things too far. Be smart, drink water, be aware of the sun, and have fun with these things in mind.