Lather up on these tips to keep your summer healthy and cool.
Summer is the perfect opportunity to hit the beach, go on a hike, and enjoy the sunshine with friends and family. Before you head outdoors, you should know the best practices on how to keep yourself and family cool this summer.
Beat the heat with these simple tricks.
Cool down effectively. Put an ice pack or a cold, wet towel on your pressure points when you’re feeling too hot. The blood vessels at these pulse points are close to the surface of the skin, helping you to feel cooler instantly.
Avoid big meals. Eating a lot in one go will only make you feel warmer, as digestion uses a lot of energy and generates body heat. If you want to stay cool, eat small amounts of cold food throughout the day.
Run fans counter-clockwise. The direction of the ceiling fans make a difference – believe it or not! Ceiling fans should run counter-clockwise, as a clockwise movement will create an updraft and force warm air down.
Wear light colors. Dark colors absorb more heat than light ones, so stay clear of black. White, beige, and light pastel colors are the best shades to wear to keep your skin cool.
Wear long-sleeves. Opt for a light, airy, long-sleeved blouse or shirt that will help to keep the direct sunlight off your skin.
Shower it off. A cold shower is ideal come summertime. Rinsing off under a stream of tepid water helps to bring down the core body temperature and rinses off sweat so that you can head to bed feeling cool and clean.
Cover your face. Wear a hat with a wide brim and sunglasses to shield your face, ears, and neck from the sun.
Lather on sunscreen. Apply SPF 15+ lotion at least 15 minutes before you head outside. This lotion helps to prevent burns, which can ultimately raise your body temperature.
Drink plenty of water. Sweating in the heat can make you dehydrated if you don’t top up with H20 regularly. Ensure that you and your children are drinking enough water throughout the day. Better still, eat foods with high water content (cucumber, watermelon) to up your intake of fluids.
Safe sun habits are thoroughly reinforced at Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley. Our organization and staff members understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle! Call us today to learn more about our summer programs for your kids!