Make the most of this summer by promoting physical wellness with these safety tips!
Indoor Tips
If you choose to stay indoors to beat the heat, here are some ways to keep extra cool:
- Close curtains during the daytime
- Keep fans or air conditioning running
- Limit your oven usage
- Open windows during the nighttime
- Sleep with lighter bedding and pajamas
- Take cool showers or apply wet washcloths to your ankles, armpits, neck, and wrists
Outdoor Tips
If you want to take advantage of the outdoors, keep these things in mind:
- Avoid humid, high, or unsafe temperatures
- Enjoy activities under the shade or in the water
- Get your fresh air and Vitamin D early in the morning or later in the evening
- Limit as much direct sun exposure as possible and stay under the shade
- Spray insect repellent or create a garden with plants that ward off pests
- Stay active by switching around your exercise schedule so you’re not engaging in strenuous activity at the hottest times of the day, and consider early morning yoga in the garden or lovely evening walks after dinner
What to Wear
What you wear can make a big difference in your comfort during summer:
- Broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every couple of hours, even on cloudy or overcast days
- Long, lightweight shirts and pants made of natural fibers such as cotton or linen
- UV-filtering sunglasses
- Wide-brimmed hats
Stay Nourished
What you consume can make a great impact on your health and enjoyment:
- Drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and consider setting alarms throughout the day to remind you to hydrate
- Enjoy fruit or vegetable juices and drinks with electrolytes
- Limit alcohol, caffeine, and drinks with large amounts of sugar
- Swap hot, heavy meals for smaller meals spaced throughout the day
Know the Signs
It’s hard to enjoy the summer fun if it makes you feel unwell, so make sure to:
- Be mindful of any medications you are taking that may increase your sensitivity to the sun, such as antibiotics, antimicrobials, antifungals, antihistamines, cholesterol-lowering medications, diuretics, NSAIDs, retinoids, and certain medications used to control diabetes.
- Consult your doctor or medical professional about your health before partaking in any summertime events or activities or if you experience any health concerns.
- Watch for signs of a heat-related illness, such as confusion, dizziness, headache, nausea, rapid heartbeat, red or flushed skin, tiredness, and weakness. If you experience any of these symptoms, get to a cool location immediately.
Explore your physical wellness journey with our free ebook, Improving Fitness Over 60!
At Life Enriching Communities (LEC), we’re committed to ensuring patrons feel well-equipped to plan their future and age how they wish. Explore more resources on senior living or contact us today to learn more about our legacy of services and programs that bring meaning and purpose to every stage of life.