The Florida sun is both friend and foe. For optimum summer fun, enjoy her rays sparingly and employ creative ways to stay cool. The heat and UV rays pose risks that even our healthiest patients should be aware of and guard against.
Stay hydrated. You need to increase your water intake to more than eight 8-ounce glasses per day if you’ve been sweating in the sun.
Pop your lotion in the fridge or cooler. Try it! It’s refreshing to your skin!
Take a lukewarm shower. Instead of a cold shower, keep the water lukewarm to increase blood flow and heat loss.
Wear loose, lightweight clothes. Opt for moisture-wicking fabric blends that prevent sweat from getting trapped in your clothes. If you prefer cotton, choose items that are thin, light and loose.
Avoid overexertion and overexposure. When temps are highest, limit your rays and activity and find some shade.
Mist yourself. When you’re out in the sun, keep a spray bottle full of cool water. Give yourself a cool spritz. You can get creative and mix up a refreshing concoction of ingredients like cucumber juice, rose water, aloe gel or chilled green tea.
Use a cold compress. Don’t have one on hand? You can home-make one by filling a sock with rice. Tie it with twine or elastic and freeze it for at least two hours. Rice, being dense and starchy, retains cold for a long time.
Eat fruits and veggies. Some foods can also help you hydrate. Many fruits and vegetables are high in water content. Watermelon is the best!
