Chiropractic Tips For Staying Cool

Summer time is the time to enjoy beach visits, an impromptu day at the park or ice cream on the front porch. Summer is also the time of year when sunburns and skinned knees are common. If you’re dealing with extreme heat, you may find that enjoying summer ventures are a challenge for you and your family because staying safe in the heat can be difficult.

Some tips to help keep you cool include:

Avoid alcohol. While a cold beer may feel like all you really want to indulge in while swinging in that hammock, remember that alcohol is dehydrating. Water is your best option but anything without alcohol or caffeine will do.

Avoid outdoor activities between ten and four. If you’re planning a trip to the pool to stay cool, it may cool enough, but if you want to hit the zoo or the park, which are mostly if not all outdoor, then consider going during off hours. Between 10 and 4 each day are the hottest hours with the most direct sunlight. Staying out of the sun and indoors if you can is best. And if you must be outdoors during this hot time of day, then take plenty of shady breaks with cold water.

Go straight cotton. If you have a duvet cover on your bed, it may be making it difficult to fall asleep because of its warmth. If you can’t remove the cover, then opt for just cotton sheets. Cotton will breathe and allow you to stay cooler while sleeping. The same is true of your clothing. Breathable and light colored cotton clothing that won’t cling to your body will allow you to sweat and stay cooler as it’s exposed to the air. Light colors deflect the sunlight so you may actually feel a little cooler in white opposed to darker colors.

Exercise early morning or late evening. If you’re chiropractic specialist has recommended some light exercise for back pain or in general for better health, then walking is a great option. While you may not think that walking could be dangerous, depending on what part of the day you choose to exercise outdoors, you could be facing a serious heat threat. If you can’t or choose not to exercise indoors, then try to get your workout in during the early morning or later evening hours, when the heat is not so extreme.

Staying cool can seem impossible when it’s hot everywhere but with a little creative thinking and flexibility, you can find alternative ways to enjoy your summer activities.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Andy