Tips for Seniors to Have a Healthy Summer

Summer is a beautiful time of year. The sun is shinning brightly, the trees have turned green, and people love spending their time outdoors. For senior citizens, though, it can be a scary time. Some seniors can't afford to pay cooling costs to heat their house and some just don't have air conditioners. It can be extra scary for those who don't have family, as well. Here are some tips that can make a senior's summer, a healthy one.

Always make sure that you drink plenty of water. In the summer it is so easy to become dehydrated. Drinking too much soda and carbonated drinks in the summer can cause you to become dehydrated so make sure you stay aways from these and drink as much water as possible.

Make sure you wear loose, lightweight clothing. This will help your body to stay cooler in the heat. Also, make sure to limit your outdoor activity. If you need to do something outdoors, try doing so in the early morning hours or later in the evening when it isn't so hot out.

Heat strokes are another common type of illness in the summer time, A heat stroke can be life threatening. If you feel that you may have symptoms of a heat stroke which include red skin, no sweating, and confusion or dizziness, move out of the sun and into a cool place. Also, you may drink some water and try taking a cool shower or bath. Make sure you call someone such as emergency responders so that they can give you the help you need.

The suns rays can be very harmful to the body. Make sure that you keep your skin and eyes protected during the summer months. Wear sunglasses and sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15. Also, wear protective clothing. Sunburns can lead to skin cancer, so be very careful when UV rays are the strongest, which is between 10:00am and 4:00pm.

Summer is the most popular time for barbecues and cookouts. Be very careful not to contaminate your foods. Always keep your meats away from any other foods such as fruits and vegetables. Also, be sure to cook your meats until they have reached an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Another good idea is to refrigerate leftovers as soon as possible. Not doing so can cause bacteria to begin to grow.

It is good for our bodies to be active and healthy in the summer. Eat healthy foods and stay away from too many sugars and caffeine. Eating fruits and vegetables will help you to gain more energy, thus leading to a healthier body.

Be very careful when you are doing activities in or near water. Such as a trip to the beach or boating on a lake or just being around a swimming pool. When you are in a boat, be sure to wear your life jacket. Also, don't walk to close to the edges of a pool or too far our in the ocean, especially if you can't swim or aren't a very good swimmer.

Some medicines you take may make you more prone to heat strokes and sunburn. Talk to your doctor about the prescriptions that you take. If your medicines have harmful reactions to the sun, then you may need to stay indoors more.

Humidity and pollen is very high in the summer. This could cause you to have trouble breathing, and even worse if you have asthma or a lung condition. Spend shorter periods outside and get plenty of rest. On very humid days, limit the amount of activity and time that you spend outdoors.

Following these tips can lead to you having a more safe and fun summer.