Staying Safe and Healthy During Summer

Summer is here and it's time for the beach, where you can swim, surf, barbecue, build sandcastles, throw a Frisbee and play volleyball. All this, while sitting under brilliant blue skies and the hot, hot sun. Oh, glorious summer!

It's difficult to think that all of this summery goodness as having negative side effects, but we all know the dangers of sunburn, muscle strain and backaches. So, take the necessary precautions to ensure your enjoyment of this summer season and of those to come.

Sunburn is a serious problem these days, but fairly easy to prevent. Ultraviolet rays are getting closer to us now than when we were kids, so using the proper protection is very important Buy it and apply it!

Sunscreen is available in many forms and at many levels. The SPF (sun protection factor) should be clearly printed on the front of each bottle. An SPF of 15 is generally enough for adults and SPF 30 for children and toddlers. Stronger sunscreens can easily be bought and a higher-than-recommended SPF won't cause any damage. Babies under the age of six months should be kept in the shade at all times.

Sweat caused by the heat and physical activity can wash away sunscreen and reduce its effectiveness. The same goes for swimming or even just splashing around under a garden hose. If you've been sweating or swimming, remember to replace your sunscreen on a regular basis.

If you have fair skin or thinning hair, a hat can be an important volleyball drills in protecting against sunburn and skin damage. Children should always wear a hat, regardless of skin color or hair thickness. Keeping your lips from burning is also essential, so get yourself some SPF 30 lip balm and apply it regularly.

Ultraviolet rays don't just damage your skin; they can also damage your eyes. Make sure you've got sunglasses that provide UV protection, with 95% blockage against volleyball drills radiation and 99% blockage against UVB radiation. Sunglasses shouldn't just be a fashion accessory; they should help prevent eye strain, cataracts and other diseases of the eye.

Physical activity on the beach requires extra flexibility and preparation. After sitting indoors for the long winter months, leaping into the water or running in the sand can create muscle and joint injuries that can prevent you from enjoying the rest of your summer and even cause problems for the long-term.

Getting your body ready for so much fun requires simple but effective stretching exercises. Make sure you include all of the major muscle groups in order to prevent muscle pulls and joint pain - hamstrings, quadriceps, calves and abdomen. Try some leg lifts and abdominal crunches as part of your morning routine. You don't have to go to the gym or buy expensive equipment, and a strong abdomen is excellent support for your lower back.

Make a Chiropractic Castle Rock CO appointment to discuss your summertime needs and to get help in designing an exercise program that will keep you happily beach-bound all summer long.

No comments: