According to the CDC, 2,917 people died from heat exposure in July from 1999 to 2017. This is a little over 160 deaths in July each year from heat exposure.
Summer is a time for fun, but taking care of your health during these months is vital. Take care of yourself and prevent illness and even death by following some summertime health tips. Keep reading to learn what they are.
1. Cover Your Skin
While you already know that sunscreen protects you from the harmful rays of the sun, you can also protect yourself by covering your skin. It can get hot in the summer but wearing long sleeves when in direct sunlight will protect you from burning.
Wearing a hat and sunglasses will protect the sensitive skin on your face and your eyes from the hot sun too. You should also consider carrying an umbrella when you know you’ll be outdoors so you can remain in the shade.
2. You Should Get Some Sun Too
While you should try to stay out of the sun all day, you do need some sun to stay healthy. The sun is the most natural way to receive vitamin D, a necessary nutrient. Spending as little as 10 minutes in the early morning sun can give you your necessary daily dosage of vitamin D.
Spending time in nature is a great way to take care of your mental health too. A few minutes in the sun can instantly boost your mood.
3. Get Plenty of Exercise
While summer might be your downtime, when you get to unwind and relax, it’s still important to maintain healthy habits. Keeping your regular exercise routine is vital to staying healthy during the summer.
You can continue doing your daily morning walk or try some new workouts. Some of the best summer exercises involve doing physical activity outdoors. You can go for a swim or an evening bike ride.
4. Get a Skin Cancer Screening
Make sure you’re keeping up with all of your doctor’s appointments, just because it’s summertime doesn’t mean you should be slacking off on your health.
If you’ve noticed any unusual skin lesions or sun spots, you should make an appointment with your doctor immediately. Ask your doctor about getting a skin cancer screening. The test is quick and painless, you have nothing to worry about.
Check out Meritage Medical Network’s patient resources for information on finding doctors in our network and your area and make an appointment today.
5. Include Healthy Foods in Your Diet
Summers tend to bring out bad food habits in all of us. Eating out makes having a well-balanced diet harder during the summer.
Make sure you’re including healthy, whole foods in your diet and limiting your consumption of alcohol throughout the week. The best summer dieting tips include eating seasonal fruits and vegetables when you can.
Summer fruits and vegetables include berries, apples, bell peppers, and beets. Make sure you’re incorporating protein into your meals every day too.
6. Get Enough Rest
Sleep is vital to your health. Getting the right amount of sleep is important because it can make your immune system stronger and lower your risk of weight gain.
Since you’ll be spending more time outdoors or at parties during the summer, you might be going to sleep later than usual. Try not to change your sleep schedule and make sure you’re getting at least eight hours each night.
If you’re feeling tired after a day full of activities, make sure you also take a day to rest and do nothing. Listen to what your body tells you and take care of yourself.
7. Make Time for Family and Friends
You should also be making time for some summer activities with family during your days off. Summer is the time to hang out with family and friends in the beauty of nature.
Make a plan to go hiking with your best friends. Spend a weekend afternoon picnicking with your partner.
Take your kids to the beach on a Saturday morning. Beat the summer heat by spending some time in the water and having fun with the ones you love.
8. Keep up Good Hygiene Practices
Keep up with your hygiene practices especially when you’re in public places with a lot of people. Always wash your hands for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom and before handling any food.
Shower every day, whether you do it in the morning or at night is based on personal preference. Make sure you’re washing your bedsheets and pillowcases more often during the summer because you’re prone to sweat more during these months.
9. Take a Vacation
Planning summer vacations is the fun part of starting the summer season. Summer is the season to relax from your daily routine. If you aren’t able to take too much time off work, try to get away for a weekend.
You can plan a getaway to a new city you’ve always wanted to see or spend some time in nature by going camping and disconnecting yourself from the outside world for a few days, you deserve it.
Summertime Health Tips You Should Follow
This guide includes some important summertime health tips you should follow this summer season. Taking care of your health is vital. Make sure you’re getting plenty of exercise and scheduling necessary doctor’s appointments.
Contact Meritage Medical Network with any questions you may have about healthcare services you need during the summer or any other time of the year.