Great Ways to Have a Fun & Healthy Summer
Summertime is upon us and Americans all around the country are gearing up for a fun season full of barbecues, swimming, and exciting outdoor activities. Although this can be a time of great fun, it’s always a good idea to keep some seasonal health risks in mind to maximize the good times and reduce the likelihood of dealing with any health problems.
During the summer, people face an increased risk of suffering from sunburn, heatstroke, bug bites, and other issues that often come with outdoor activities and sun exposure. To help you and your family have the best summer possible, we’ve highlighted some great ways to stay safe and have fun during this great time of the year. Keep reading to learn more!
Staying Active and Safe
Thanks to the great weather, Americans tend to be more active during the summer season. Everyone is excited to get outside and partake in the fun with their friends and family. Some popular summer activities include snorkeling, bike riding, hiking, camping, kayaking, and visiting the beach. It’s a great time to get out in nature and build memories with loved ones.
Physical activities like these are a great way to stay healthy all year long and need to be done with a few precautions when lots of sunshine and heat are involved.
Here are some tips to follow for outdoor summer activities:
- Stay hydrated throughout your activity
- Avoid exercising during the hottest times of the day
- Wear cooling clothes and hats that provide coverage
If you find yourself getting overheated, make sure to rest in a cool area and drink some water. Doing so can help avoid heat exhaustion and heat strokes.
Eating Healthy Summer Foods
Summertime is a great time to enjoy some healthy and refreshing foods with friends and family. Many Americans plan barbecues and picnics to enjoy the good weather and good food together.
Thankfully, there are a lot of healthy and delicious food options to choose from all season long.
Although it may be tempting to grill only hot dogs and ground beef during a barbecue, try to integrate some more chicken, fish, and vegetables in the mix as well. This is a great way to add some healthy proteins while still enjoying barbecue season. Summer salads are also a nice addition, especially when mixed with foods like watermelon and berries that help cool the palette.
When cooking outdoors, it is also important to focus on food safety when handling meat. Make sure to defrost and marinate foods properly, while using a food thermometer to ensure grilled meats are cooked through. It’s also a good idea to wash hands, utensils, and cooking surfaces before cooking and eating.
Use Sun Protection
Protecting yourself from the sun is essential when partaking in outdoor summer activities. Although sunlight can be a great source of vitamin D, too much of it can damage skin and increase cancer risk. The two types of sunlight are UVA and UVB rays, which can get deep into the skin and damage blood vessels and connective tissue. Over time, this can lead to faster aging, wrinkles, and less elastic skin.
To stay safe, wear protective clothing and hats to shield your skin from too much sunlight. Sunglasses are also a good idea to protect the eyes from UV light. Using a good sunscreen is also a smart move. Make sure to get one with at least SPF 30 and reapply every few hours. Furthermore, try to avoid being in the sun during the hottest times of the day when UV rays are at their strongest.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are plenty of fun and healthy ways to enjoy the summer season. To avoid any health issues, make sure to stay hydrated and cool when partaking in outdoor activities. When enjoying a summer barbecue or picnic, integrate some healthy proteins and summer salads to boost your nutrient intake. And finally, make sure to protect yourself from too much sunlight by wearing a good sunscreen and light-weight clothing.
From all of us at Montes Medical Group, we wish you and your family and safe and healthy Summer season!
AUTHOR
Maneeza Hasan Maneeza is a content marketing professional from Los Angeles, California. She loves to create content that helps people live better lives. To learn more about her please visit her website at www.maneeza.com