Beat the Heat with these Cool Tips!
The days are growing longer, and the sun is shining brighter! It’s summertime! With the warmer weather comes spending more time outside. It’s important to ensure you stay safe, hydrated, and cool. Our sackers use these tips to stay hydrated and cool while working in the summer heat, and you should too
Staying Hydrated!
Dehydration is one of summer’s sneakiest safety concerns. Excessive time outside in the heat and not drinking enough water and hydrating fluids are leading causes of dehydration. Studies show that 75 percent of Americans are dehydrated! Luckily, it can only take up to 45 minutes to rehydrate. These easy steps can help you stay hydrated!
1. Find tasty drinks, in addition to water, to keep yourself hydrated. Iced teas are a great example! Tea leaves contain antioxidants and nutrients that can help your immune system. If you’re craving sugary fruit juice, opt for coconut water! All-natural coconut water is 94 percent water and contains electrolytes like potassium and sodium that help replenish fluids. Speaking of electrolytes, sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade and drink mixes such as Liquid IV are also great for replenishing electrolytes if you’ve been out in the sun!
2. Eat more “water-rich” fruits and vegetables! Melons, fruit such as peaches and apples, and veggies such as bell peppers all have a very high water content! This is a great way to sneak in fluids as you eat or snack throughout the day. According to The United Family’s produce director, Joseph Bunting, “Staying hydrated in the summer heat is very important. Watermelons, cantaloupes, strawberries, and cucumbers are a few items to help you stay hydrated and beat the heat. We offer a large selection of Texas-grown watermelons. Watermelons are Texas grown by local Texans helping you to stay hydrated in the summer heat!”
3. Brenda Garcia, United Family’s registered dietician, says this:
Watermelon is 92% water!
Juice or puree any overripe watermelon for a hydrating drink with some electrolytes.
Strawberries, just over 90% water, provide about 95% of your daily value of Vitamin C, which helps support your skin health!
Cantaloupe is made up of 90% water and is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which are important for skin health.
Cucumbers comprise over 95% water and are low in calories but high in nutrients.
Staying Safe!
Keeping your skin protected with sunscreen is incredibly important during these summer months. Wearing SPF 15 daily can reduce your chances of developing skin cancer by 40-50 percent. Sunscreens with SPF 30 or SPF 50 will provide even better protection in the summer sun. SPF stands for sun protection factor, and doctors recommend sunscreens with an SPF of at least 30!
When in and out of a pool or getting extra sweaty from the hot sun, make sure to reapply your sunscreen every 40-60 minutes for the best protection!
Bonus tip!
Do you have a furry friend who spends time outside? Consider purchasing a small kiddie pool or tub and filling it with a shallow pool of water. This can help keep them refreshed and hydrated and cool their paws off. Hot Dog!
Sometimes, the heat is tough to beat, but with these tips you can stay cooler than a cucumber this summer!
