Spring will soon give way to summer, as it’s nearly that time again to enjoy the warmer weather, experience longer days and shorter nights. It’s also a great opportunity to engage in the fun outdoor activities you’ve been anticipating all winter long. However, to enjoy all this, you must ensure that you are healthy and ready for the new season.
The change in weather and the nature of the summer season can expose you to various health conditions such as summer flu, heatstroke, heat rash, and dehydration. Fortunately, you can avoid these illnesses by taking proactive steps to improve your health. If you’re looking for some healthcare tips to keep in mind during the summer, here are a few to consider.
Cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize frequently
Unfortunately, spending time in the sun can have adverse effects on your skin. The sun’s harsh rays can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving you open to various issues such as sunburn, dry patches, and hyperpigmentation. Additionally, sweat and other components could build up on your skin, causing a blockage in your pores or overproduction of oils which may lead to acne.
You can protect yourself by following the CEM method: cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing. Be sure to clean your skin to remove dirt and other foreign elements that may cause build-up on your skin. Exfoliating your skin once or twice a week removes dead skin cells, dirt, and other elements that could clog the skin and cause skin issues. Lastly, you must moisturize your skin to keep it supple and hydrated and protect it from harmful substances such as chlorine.
Stay hydrated
During the summer, you are exposed to the harshness of the sun, causing you to sweat. Although sweating is your body’s natural response to heat, in an attempt to keep the body cool, it does have various effects on the body. For instance, as water accounts for 60% of your body’s makeup, sweating causes you to lose some of this water.
By drinking more water, you replace the water lost, reducing your chances of dehydration and keeping you cool throughout the hot day. Staying hydrated also improves your muscle efficiency, digestion, and cardiovascular health.
Experts recommend consuming an average of eight glasses of water daily to ensure you are well-hydrated. You can give your glass of water a nice fresh summer twist by including a few slices of cucumbers or wedges of lemon. Try the hydrating products by sqwincher for a fun way to stay hydrated.
Wear sunscreen
Although the summer gives you the perfect time to ensure the sun and some awaited warmth, not taking the right precautions can harm your health. The sun produces UV rays that can cause several health risks, such as skin cancer, early wrinkling, skin discoloration, and sunburn.
You can keep yourself safe by using sunscreen. It is also advisable not to limit your sunscreen to outdoor use. According to experts, the UV rays from the sun can still affect you negatively when you are indoors. To ensure you are getting optimum safety, you should consider using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
You should also consider your skin type. For instance, if you have sensitive skin or an underlying skin condition, you should select suitable sunscreen. So, suppose you have eczema; you should purchase sunscreen for eczema-prone skin to ensure sufficient protection from the sun and avoid complications.
Watch what you eat
No matter the season, keeping a healthy, well-balanced diet is vital. During the summer, the sheer excitement of finally going out and having fun in the sun, going on vacation, or having fun parties can cause you to forget the importance of a healthy diet. It is the season for exciting and tasty desserts and drinking cold fizzy soda.
However, it is vital to keep this moderation to avoid health conditions such as obesity or diabetes. It is also recommended that you reduce your caffeine intake. When you drink a lot of caffeine, you further reduce your body’s hydration. This often results in a series of health issues, such as headaches or cardiac issues in extreme cases.
Instead, take advantage of the summer by preparing home-cooked healthy meals from fresh ingredients. You should also consider including berries, leafy greens, and other summer foods that keep you cool and healthy. You should also include fiber-enriched food such as nuts and grains. The advantage of these foods is that they encourage you to eat mindfully and fill you up quickly. Now, you don’t have to worry about eating too much at the BBQ party!
Sleep more
Another important health practice to consider, regardless of the season, is sleep. However, with the longer days and shorter summer nights, getting sufficient sleep is easier said than done.
Additionally, the high temperatures in warmth and the delay in melatonin release can make sleep uncomfortable and difficult. Insufficient sleep can increase hunger, causing late-night snacks that can lead to health issues such as indigestion, high blood pressure, or obesity.
Fortunately, there are ways to resolve this problem. An effective solution is investing in heavy drapes to darken your bedroom to create the illusion of nighttime- as the sun may still be up. You should also create a sleep schedule and make a conscious effort to stick to it. It would be best to try to unwind and relax before bed to put your mind and body in the right place to encourage sleep.
Practice good personal hygiene
The last thing you would want is a stinky summer, and you especially don’t want to be the cause of it! Personal hygiene practices such as washing your hands, taking frequent showers with soap and water is a great way to avoid that.
During the summer, sweat, chlorine, and other elements your body comes into contact with can encourage the production of mold and bacteria on your skill. These organisms flourish in warmer temperatures, increasing the likelihood of bad body odor. Lack of personal hygiene can also cause health issues such as swimmer’s ear, head lice, athlete’s foot, and chronic diarrhea.
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