With its abundant warm weather, summer is the perfect season for outdoor recreation. From picnics to beach trips to backyard barbecues, many of us spend a fair amount of time outdoors throughout the summer months. However, in the absence of the proper precautions, you’re liable to find yourself at serious risk for exhaustion, heatstroke, sunburn and other ailments associated with hot weather. So, if you’re looking for ways to stay comfortable outdoors during the summer months, the following pointers are sure to come in handy.
Regularly Apply Sunscreen or Sunblock
Whenever you intend to spend 15 minutes or more in the sun, it’s strongly advised that you apply sunscreen or sunblock to any uncovered parts of your body. Furthermore, take care to reapply it as often as the packaging suggests. This will help protect your skin from various types of sun damage, as well as serious health issues like skin cancer. So, whenever you engage in outdoor recreation, make sure to have suitable sunscreen or sunblock on hand. In addition to keeping yourself safe from harmful UV rays, having sunscreen or sunblock at your immediate disposal will ensure that you’re able to offer similar protection to any friends or family members with whom you’re spending time.
It’s important to note that the rules concerning sunscreen and sunblock should be followed year-round, regardless of how cold the temperature happens to be. Whenever you spend time in the sun, no matter the season, you place yourself at risk for the issue mentioned above. So, if you’re serious about protecting your skin, just remember that UV rays don’t stop being harmful once summertime wraps up.
Wear Breathable Clothing
Breathable clothing can help make intense summertime temps more bearable. While donning the same types of clothes year-round may seem convenient, it can also prove incredibly uncomfortable – especially in areas where there’s a significant difference between summer and winter weather.
When seeking out the ideal clothes for summertime, keep an eye out for such breathable materials as cotton, linen, rayon, denim, silk and polyester. So, if you’re currently in the market for comfortable women’s shorts, remember to keep these materials on your radar.
Always Keep Water Handy
Dehydration and exhaustion are among the most common heat-based afflictions from which people suffer throughout the summer months. To help ensure that you remain unaffected by these issues, make a point of keeping water within easy reach at all times – particularly when spending time outside. For example, if you’re embarking on a hike, going for a long walk or spending a day at the beach, don’t leave home without an ample supply of water. If you’re not keen on the idea of lugging around a heavy water bottle, consider investing in a convenient hydration pack, which can be carried in much the same manner as a backpack. Hydration packs are particularly convenient for cyclists, runners, hikers and other athletes who regularly engage in outdoor exercise.
Take Regular Breaks from the Sun
Even if you dutifully apply sunscreen or sunblock, it’s important to understand that this isn’t an end-all solution. While these products can provide a great deal of sun protection, they can’t do all the work – and you’ll still need to put in effort and make appropriate judgment calls. For instance, whenever you feel yourself becoming overly warm or fatigued, take a break from the sun in a heavily shaded area. Furthermore, take care to remain there until you feel fully refreshed and revitalized.
If you’re particularly sensitive to sunlight, consider investing in a high-quality sun umbrella. While you may feel a little silly carrying an umbrella in the absence of rain, doing so can provide you with additional sun protection. It’s worth noting, however, that sun umbrellas do not stop diffuse UV radiation.
It isn’t hard to see why so many of us engage in so much outdoor recreation during the summer months. After all, if you hail from an area that receives brutally cold weather throughout the winter, it’s only natural that you’d want to spend some time outside once summer rolls around. Still, this isn’t to say that you shouldn’t take the proper precautions when enjoying yourself outdoors. With the help of the tips outlined above, staying cool all summer long should be well within your abilities.