Tips for Summer Fun: Staying Safe in the Sun

 

Summer is here which means time in the sun is a popular activity. Adults and kids alike love spending time in the sun during the summer, whether it’s at the beach or on vacation. It’s important to remember to be safe while we’re in the sun though. It can cause so many problems including skin disease, dehydration, and much more. I’ve compiled some simple tips in the graphic below to help you (and your kids) remember to be safe. I’ve used the acronym S.H.A.D.E. to help you remember 5 key tips for hanging out in the sun.

 

 

We’ve all heard about the horrors of skin disease and skin cancer. (If you haven’t heard the horrors, a simple google search will open your eyes!) I’m also sure that I’m not the only one that has experienced a sunburn in my lifetime. Sunscreen can help prevent disease and burns. It is recommended that you use an SPF of 30 for the best protection.

 

There are two important steps to remember with sunscreen. The first is to apply a coat before you ever go out in the sun. This gives it a chance to properly work. The second is to remember to reapply often. When you get to the “allow breaks” tip, you’ll get a tip on how to remember to reapply. Reapplying sunscreen is the hardest thing for me to remember. Enlist a friend or family member to help remind you to reapply. My husband is great at reminding me!

 

Want to treat your skin well but hate the smell of sunscreen? Don’t let that deter you! My favorite sunscreen is Hawaiian Tropic Shimmer, which has a pleasant smell and shimmery effect. It’s perfect for days out where you want to protect your skin but don’t want to smell like sunscreen!

 

 

 

Just like it’s important to protect our skin, it’s also important to protect our head. Running a hairbrush through burnt scalp is no fun. Trust me, I’ve been there, done that. It’s also no fun when the sunburn starts peeling. Your head has skin beneath the hair so it’s important to protect that skin, but sunscreen in the hair can get a bit messy. That’s where hats come in. I have started adding a hat to my outfit if I’m going to be spending a large amount of time in the sun. If I forget my hat, then I try to pull my  hair back to cover all of the skin on my head. It’s important to make sure you’re protecting your head (and face) from the sun.

 

 

 

I used to hate it when my parents would tell us to get out of the water at the pool or beach. I didn’t understand why we had to stop our fun to go sit in the shade for a bit. Now that I’m an adult, I understand the purpose behind these scheduled breaks. They allowed us to dry off long enough to re-apply sunscreen. They also allowed our bodies a chance to cool down and rehydrate. We often had a drink of water and cooled in the shade during these breaks. This helped prevent dehydration which can land you in the hospital if you’re not careful. I highly recommend scheduling breaks into your schedule to allow for reapplication of sunscreen and rehydration.

 

 

 

Dehydration is a scary thing. It can cause you to faint or even land you in the hospital if it’s extreme enough. It is so important to drink water daily. It’s even more important to up that daily intake if you’re going to spend prolonged amounts of time in the sun. Make sure you pack plenty of water for a sun outing and encourage yourself and others to drink the water. Scheduled breaks allow the perfect reminder to rehydrate. Juice and sports drinks are great ways of getting liquid in to the bottle but they are not as effective at hydrating our bodies as water is due to the added ingredients.

 

 

 

Just like it’s important to protect our head and skin, it’s also important to protect our eyes. Think about all of the many ways you use your eyes throughout the day. Done thinking? Probably not…there’s a lot of different ways our eyes help us throughout the day. Therefore, it’s important that we take the time to protect them. The easiest and most stylish way to protect our eyes is through a good pair of sunglasses. Find a pair you like, invest in them, and wear them daily. My sunglasses are part of my leaving the house routine. Purse, phone, sunglasses…good to go.

 

 

Now that you’ve heard all about sun protection, you’re ready to go tackle your summer activities. Remember the acronym S.H.A.D.E. when you’re preparing for the sun!