We’re in the heart of summer, and depending on where you are in the world, it’s hot! Summer isn’t just that time of the year for sunny weather, it’s also for fun and freedom. It’s a chance to relax and enjoy everything life has to offer. During such a carefree time its important stay safe, which is why we’ve written a short and easy guide to help you do just that.
Stay Hydrated by Regularly Drinking Water
Maybe regularly drinking water is a no brainer for some but it still needs to be said: drink more water! As we have all experienced, in the hot summer’s sun, us humans sweat. A lot! When our fluids are low and we feel dehydrated, we can experience muscle cramps, unhealthy weight loss, lifeless skin, bad breath, irritable moods and much more. The solution is obvious – we need to regularly drink water. That’s doubly so if you exercise. Speaking of which…
Don’t Exercise During the Middle of the Day
Common sense tells us not to exercise in the middle of the day as it’s when the weather is hottest. It’s also time the bike lanes are clear, the running track is empty, and the football pitch is devoid of people. For some, that’s the ideal time to exercise. While it may be tempting to run a few laps, especially if there is ample shade, it’s also the period of time where you are most likely to suffer from heatstroke. Heatstroke usually comes in a combination with dehydration which is why it’s important to drink as much water as possible. If you really need to exercise, just wait until the temperature cools down before exercising. Yes there may be slower runners in front of you but it’s a better option than suffering the effects of heatstroke which include headaches, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and unconsciousness!
Keep Protected from the Sun
It’s highly recommended that we get at least 15 minutes of sun a day due to all the awesome benefits of Vitamin D, including improved cardiovascular health, bone growth, and protection from osteoporosis and type 1 diabetes. What’s not recommended, however, is staying too long in the sun and getting burnt. In the US one in five people will develop skin cancer in their lifetimes. That’s 20% of the population! The solution for a safe summer is to wear a sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30+, wear a hat, wear sunglasses to safeguard from eye damage, and to spend more time in the shade.
Keep Your Phone Charged
Phones are really awesome these days. Not only do they let you to stay in touch with family and friends, but they also allow you browse the internet, take high quality photos, view maps, enable you to pay for goods without cash, and much, much more. However, without a fully charged phone, you are unable to do any of these things. This is potentially a huge problem if you are in a situation and are relying on your phone to keep you safe. Let’s imagine a few scenarios where having battery would come in handy:
- You are travelling somewhere exotic and relying on your phone’s map to get by, however, you run out of power and don’t know how to get back to the hotel.
- You are on a solo hike and you get injured. Sadly without a charged battery you are unable to call anyone for help.
- You take a date out and plan to get the expensive bill with your phone. Only when it comes to pay your battery hits zero.
Okay that last scenario might not be a good example of why a charged phone keeps you safe. The point is that if we rely on our phones and something happens, we could potentially be in an unsafe situation. That’s why you should remember to always charge your phone before leaving the house, especially if you are on holiday.
