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Sunny days are fun to enjoy; they mean you can get outside, get a healthy dose of Vitamin D, spend time at the beach, or enjoy a family holiday. Nevertheless, hot days still pose a wealth of problems when it comes to your health, wellbeing, and protection against UV rays.
Below are the best ways you can stay safe when spending time in the sun.
Apply Sunscreen with the Correct Protection Level
Not only is applying sunscreen important, but it needs to be the right protection level, too. The lowest factors may not protect well enough against high temperatures, so it’s better to always go for a higher SPF than a lower one, as there are no downsides to wearing a higher factor.
Reapply Sunscreen Throughout the Day
It isn’t enough to apply sunscreen at the start of the day, as it will need to be reapplied to work effectively. This is particularly important if you are swimming or sweating a lot in hot weather. Even sunscreen which claims to be waterproof may be compromised after long periods, and after spending time in the water, so it’s always worth a top-up a few times throughout the day.
Wear Sunglasses to Protect Your Eyes
UV damage is not only possible on your skin, but on your eyes, too. Protecting your eyes against harmful rays by wearing sunglasses is important during sunny days. Not only that but being able to shield your eyes means that you can be more aware of what is happening, without having to squint or fight against bright light.
For maximum protection, you might want to try polarized sunglasses, as these can help to protect against the glare as well as the sun’s rays.
Stay Hydrated
It’s very easy to become dehydrated when temperatures are high.
Signs you are dehydrated include:
- Feeling dizzy
- Dark-colored urine
- Going to the bathroom a lot less than normal
- Feeling thirsty
Dehydration can lead to problems in hot weather, such as illness or fainting, so staying hydrated during hot days is essential. This doesn’t just mean drinking your normal amount of water, either, as you will need a lot more water during warmer temperatures to replace the moisture lost through sweating — so always drink extra.
Find Spots of Shade to Take a Break
It’s easy to want to make the most out of a sunny day and not waste a minute of it, but stepping out of the sun’s rays for a while will be beneficial. Find a shaded spot if you’re feeling too warm, dehydrated or if your skin is starting to burn.
Cover Up
The best way to protect your skin against burning is to cover up as much as possible, especially vulnerable areas like the neck and shoulders. You can wear light clothing due to the warm temperature, but use clothing to cover up any areas of skin which need protecting.
In Summary
Sunny days should always be enjoyed responsibly to protect your own skin and health. You can still spend an enjoyable time outdoors and get a tan whilst making sure you make sensible decisions and remain safe.
