Summer means hot temperatures, trips to the beach and back-yard cookouts. But be aware that spending time outdoors during the heat of the day can put your health at risk. Here are a few tips to help you beat the heat:
Try to schedule most of your outdoor activities in the early morning or late afternoon.
Try to avoid direct sunlight. Stay in the shade as much as possible. Wide-brim hats for the ladies, and caps for the gents. This not only makes a fashion statement for looking good but feeling good as well.
Wear loose-fitting clothing, preferably white or light colors. Cotton clothing will keep you cooler than many synthetic fabrics.
Storing your lotions or cosmetic toners in the refrigerator will help to cool you down and soothe hot overtired feet.
Drink, drink, drink to stay hydrated. Drinking alcohol and sodas can actually cause dehydration. stick to water. Keep plastic bottles of water in the freezer: grab one before going out and when the ice melts, you’ll have a bottle of cold water on hand. If you really want to go all out, I suggest adding slices of cucumber, lime, lemon, ginger and watermelon for a healthy, refreshingly cool drink for the summer.
You lose a lot of water by perspiration, which is the body’s way of heat regulation through evaporative cooling. Also, through perspiration you lose salts, those can be replaced by drinking sports drinks with electrolytes.
Electrolytes are electrically charged salts called ions that are essential for muscle function in the body. Try to take as many showers as possible with cool or tepid water.
Nothing is more pleasant or refreshing than filling up a spray bottle with cool water and spritzing your face and neck.
Spend as much time in the AC as possible. If you don’t have air conditioning at home, call 311 and find out where the nearest cooling center is located in your neighborhood. Libraries, theaters, or the mall are great places to keep cool as well.
Have a healthy, happy and safe summer.
In health, safety and solidarity,
PSC EHS Watchdogs
