Tips to Beat the Heat

Summer is upon us and now is the time when many people will be spending a lot of time outdoors. Now is also when the sun can beat fiercely down and turn a fun day outside into a sweltering uncomfortable experience. Completely avoiding the heat and brightness is almost impossible in the summer (especially a hot Midwest or Southwest summer), but there are some things that can be done to make it less unpleasant.

Wear Eye Protection

A hot summer day can assault the eyes with damaging ultraviolet rays. Eye protection is a must. UV rays can potentially cause cataracts and degeneration in the eye with excessive exposure. A good pair of sunglasses - something specifically designed to deal with ultraviolet rays - is more than a good idea. It's an essential.

Proper Skin Protection

Like the eyes, the skin can be damaged by the sun. Excessive exposure to the sun can cause melanoma, skin cancer, tumors, and a nasty, tender burn. A good tan is nice, but getting one should be done carefully as overexposure can happen easily. An attractive bronzing isn't worth getting a bad burn. To help prevent harmful skin damage, a sunscreen of sufficient strength should be used when spending extended amounts of time in the sun.

Keep Hydrated

On a hot summer day, the body looses a lot of moisture through sweating. This water needs to be replaced or the body will suffer from dehydration. Dehydration can cause headaches, nausea, heat stroke (fainting), and a variety of other maladies. Water is the main ingredient in beverages like pop, beer, or juice, but straight water is best for hydrating oneself.

Wear Light Clothing

Dark colored clothing absorbs more of the sun's rays and can get quite warm under direct, prolonged sunlight. However, lighter colored clothing does not absorb as much and can be noticeably cooler. Also, naturally, lighter material clothing is good too. Thick, heavy clothing will hold heat close to the body and make a warm day feel warmer. Thick clothing can also diminish the body's ability to cool itself as sweat will likely not evaporate off the body as efficiently.

Air-Conditioning

This is the easiest option to combat the heat. It's cool and comfortable when the sun is beating down outside. It's a blessed respite from an occasionally uncomfortably warm time of the year. Unfortunately, this option is also the laziest. Despite the heat, summers are best spent having fun outdoors.

With that last sentence in mind, get outside and have a good time with friends, family, and nature. Go camping; go to a pool, or picnic or something. The heat and sunlight can be uncomfortable and even potentially dangerous, but it can be combated to help ensure a safe and pleasing summer. Have fun.