Now that summer has officially arrived, most of us will be spending more time outdoors to enjoy our favorite activities for as long as we can. However, if you intend to beat the heat from prolonged sun exposure than here is how to survive summer with self-care tips to stay cool, healthy and energized.
What You Can Do to Conquer Summer Fatigue and Beat the Heat
Being continually exposed to the bright sun for hours at a time is playing a dangerous game. The reason is you risk heat exhaustion to bring about heatstroke, sun damage, premature aging, and skin cancer.
Avoid alcohol, coffee and tea because they are diuretics that dehydrate as they drain fluid from your body through urine and sweat. Instead, you need to drink more water and stay hydrated because of sweating more. When you don’t return the water in your system that you’re losing through your pores, then you’re prone to dehydration, which can dramatically lower blood pressure. The frightening reality is the nitric oxide that is produced in the top layers of the skin because of spending too long in the sun causes the blood vessels to widen too much when dehydrated so the blood in your body isn’t circulating to the brain and your organs as it should.
Though you may crave a deep bronzed suntan, you are better off to lounge in the shade instead of bright sunshine even if you are keeping yourself well hydrated. As an alternative, switch to a self-tanning product for that glow because with sunscreen the sun’s UV can still affect the skin. You’ll feel more energized and your skin will thank you later.
If you suffer from allergies or sinus issues, then you probably notice how much worse you feel as the weather changes. Interestingly enough, sunlight can trigger migraines and headaches. What you can try is helping your pain threshold by taking a leisurely walk. While it may not take the pain away, it has been studied as an effective way to better cope with that pain.
Something else to beat the heat is eating lighter meals such as pastas, salads, lean meats, etc. When you eat heavier meals, the body takes longer to digest it. As a result, it causes more heat and you only feeling hotter.
Snack on fruits with a high water content such as watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, honeydew melons, kiwis, oranges, pineapples, and grapefruits. These fruits have nearly 90% water to help hydration levels to cool you off and lower body temperature.
You can keep your skin wet by jumping into a pool, taking a shower, spray your body with water, and/or a cooling spray all can help lower body temperature.
These are just some strategies for how to survive summer more comfortably to beat the heat and stay healthy and beautiful.
