Staying healthy this summer
- Admin
- 23-12-2023
- Physiotherapy
With the summer fast approaching, many of us are trying to make the most of this time of year before Mr. Freeze shows up on our doorstep yet again. It is a great time to get outside, break a sweat and stay healthy. Here are a few tips on how to exercise smart this summer.
1. Stay hydrated
Make sure to bring enough water with you when exercising outdoors, especially on those hot and humid days. As the mercury rises, you sweat to maintain your body temperature and cool off. In doing so, you lose water and electrolytes, thus getting dehydrated. Severe dehydration can have a damaging impact on the body’s ability to regulate its temperature. This puts you at risk of suffering from heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which in severe cases can be fatal. It is imperative that you replenish your fluids regularly when exercising in the heat.
2. Avoid the heat
As much as possible, avoid exercising or doing any strenuous activity outdoor during the hotter times of the day, i.e between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Opt to exercise earlier in the morning or later in the evening when it is generally cooler. Alternatively, you can seek out shaded areas to exercise or indoors with air conditioning.
3. Protect yourself from the sun
The sun and its harmful UV rays are the strongest around midday also. Always wear sunscreen when going out in the sun, and remember to frequently reapply the sunscreen throughout the day. Wear appropriate clothing to protect your skin, e.g. loose, lightweight and light coloured long sleeved shirts, hats etc. Also, remember to protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses with UV protection.
4. Training Smart
To avoid injuries this season, make sure you properly warm up before your exercise and cool down afterwards, preferably in a nice shaded area. Schedule your training sessions in the mornings or evenings to avoid the midday sun. Pack enough water and electrolytes to take in during and after your training sessions.
With these few tips, we hope that you have a great summer.