Lovin' Summer
Enjoy your season in the sun and still play it safe
As kids, summertime meant endless hours of outdoor fun. As adults,
we know that the summer heat isn't always cool. But you don't have
to become a summer shut-in. These tips will help you keep your
sunny side up-safely.
Miss the
Midday: The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends avoiding the
sun's peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. It's not just important
for protecting your skin, it will also help prevent heat exposure
illnesses. Itching to get outdoors? Plan an earlier morning hike or
picnic or find a park or tennis court nearby with lights so you can
play even after sunset. If you do need to be in the sun, be sure to
apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least
15, 20 to 30 minutes beforehand so it has time to absorb into your
skin. Don't forget to reapply often-about every two hours while
you're outdoors, and every 45 minutes if you're swimming.
Hit the
Bottle: Staying hydrated when it's hot can be a challenge
because you won't always feel thirsty. Try to drink 8 to 10
eight-ounce glasses of water every day, more if you're out in the
heat, working out or if you've just had a massage.
Go Under
Cover: You worked hard all spring for that bikini-ready
body, but unless you're actually in the water, you're better off
covered up. Try wearing tightknit, lightweight fabrics and add a
widebrimmed hat to protect the skin on your face, neck and ears
from the sun's aging effects. And don't forget the specs. Prolonged
sun exposure can damage your eyes, so look for sunglasses that
block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays.
Picnic Pointers: Everything tastes better outdoors, but
food and heat can be a recipe for disaster. Avoid foodborne
illnesses by keeping cool foods cool-below 40 degrees-and hot foods
hot-at or above 140 degrees. To avoid contamination, always keep
raw foods separate from cooked foods. As for uninvited guests, such
as mosquitoes and bees, use an insect repellent with DEET, don't
wear scented lotions or perfume, and remove food and garbage from
the area as soon as you're done eating.- By J.
Woolson