Health Tips for Summer

If you live in a tropical or equatorial region, summer can be a harsh season, bringing with it the harmful effects of heat and dust. As mercury levels soar, your body will struggle to adapt to the extreme heat, and this is when you need to take extra care to ensure that you stay healthy.

Hydrate Effectively

Living in a warm to hot climate necessitates increased consumption of water as well as a healthy dose of electrolytes. Water that is high in mineral and salt content replenishes the fluid and minerals that your body loses even in an air-conditioned environment. Water, green tea, fresh fruit juices, and coconut water are excellent sources of hydration. Being adequately hydrated significantly lowers the risk of sunstroke and other heat-related conditions. It is important to sip water frequently rather than drinking large volumes when you are thirsty to give your body the chance to rehydrate normally.

Eat Right

Summer is a good time to give up those greasy foods and switch to a low-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet. While it is important to eat balanced meals, increasing your fruit and vegetable intake during summer can help you rehydrate and pack in the nutrients. Summer is also salad season—tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, and kale make nutritious and light salads that are easy on the stomach. Adding yogurt, berries, citrus fruit, and melons to your diet help keep your body fit all summer long.

Protect Your Skin

Whether dry or humid, your skin and hair need protection from the warm air and ultraviolet rays from the sun. Simple steps such as wearing a wide-brimmed sun hat and using sunblock with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 25 can protect your hair and skin from sunburn and unnecessary UV rays. Avoid going outdoors between noon and 4 PM, when temperatures spike. If you are traveling outdoors, take frequent breaks and hydrate yourself.

Be Alert to Heat Exhaustion

If you feel unusually fatigued, nauseated, irritable and experience symptoms such as the loss of appetite, cramps, profuse perspiration, you may be on the way to heat stress or heat exhaustion. Recognizing these symptoms in yourself or others is crucial to preventing heatstroke. If you find yourself or another person showing these symptoms, it is important to have the person lie down out of the sun and hydrate with an electrolyte replacement drink.

Exercise Properly

Workout or exercise routines cause your body to lose significant volumes of water. Tweak your exercise routine to include an aerobics routine and add swimming as a fun way to stay fit and cool. Schedule outdoor team sports such as soccer or basketball in the evening when temperatures drop.

Staying healthy in a safe and enjoyable manner is easy with these simple lifestyle changes that will stand you in good stead through the blazing heat of the summer sun.