Summer and Seniors, Ways to Stay Healthy and Happy

Summer is right around the corner and you know what that means. Lots of sun, lots of fun, and lots of trying to escape the heat. Balancing the desire to spend time with your family and the desire to stay out of the sweltering heat can be a fine line to walk.

The good news is, there are plenty of things to do inside (where there is air conditioning). Most cities have a plethora of museums and art galleries and indoor experiences. Go bowling. See a movie. Check out the local history museum. Take the kids to the used bookstore.

Keep an eye on the weather forecast for the day so you can plan your outings around the hottest part of the day. If you must do anything outside, earlier in the day is the best time to do it. That way it is cooler, and you can escape back into the sweet embrace of air conditioning before the temperature really skyrockets.

There may be times, though, when you cannot avoid going out into the sweltering heat. It is inevitable during the vacation season. Thankfully, there are ways you can prepare ahead of time.

Make sure to drink plenty of water both before you leave and while you are out. Dehydration can cause serious issues, especially during the summer. The last thing you want is to have a heatstroke on the beach. It may prove worthwhile to invest in a Yeti or similar water bottle that helps keep your water cold no matter the outside temperature. They can be a bit pricey, but they are excellent quality and are perfect for making sure you have access to ice water all day all summer long.

Stay away from caffeinated drinks. As soothing as an ice-cold soda may feel, they only quench your thirst for so long. In fact, you will soon find yourself thirstier than you were. That is because caffeine dehydrates you. Reach for a water, a lemonade, or an iced tea instead. It may not taste as satisfying, but you will be better off for it.

Another thing that will help is bringing snacks along. Avoid bringing only salty things, as they will further dehydrate you. Fruit is always a good choice. This can help give you a positive energy boost when you start to feel drained by the heat. A good quality, not salty protein bar can be helpful as well.

Aside from food and drink, it helps to bring along things that will help you cool down when the heat starts to become a little too much. Portable fans are incredibly handy and easy to find. Most are battery powered and some even come with spray bottles so you can further cool yourself down.

I personally recommend staying away from things that have a lot of dairy in them if you plan to be outside in the heat for a long period of time. It can very easily leave you feeling sick to your stomach, which is not a pleasant experience.

In the event that you find yourself getting lightheaded or nauseous, the chances are you are overheating. Thankfully, there are plenty of tricks to help you cool down. The first is getting to a place that is air conditioned where you can sit down. Placing something cold like a refrigerated soda can on your wrists will help you cool down faster. This may sound odd, but with the number of veins in your wrist it is actually surprisingly effective.

If you have a cool towel or a wet washcloth, wrap some ice in it and place it on the back of your neck. It will be quite shocking at first, but it feels amazing when you are overheated. Fun fact, this also helps with tension headaches.

Don’t forget your sunscreen either. Even on cloudy days, you can still get a sunburn. Those can range from annoying to potentially hazardous for your health. As with all of the other heat related dangers, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Start off this summer prepared. Be intentional with your summer plans.

Beat the heat. Don’t let the heat beat you.