Staying Active During the Summer Heat

For those who are interested in being active don’t let the weather do not stop you from having fun. In the summer especially, many people might enjoy feeling the sun on their skin and running on the beach. However, spending a long day in extreme heat can be dangerous if you do not properly prepare and take care of yourself during. Below we will discuss different tips to keep in mind when being active on a hot summer day.

Always have fluids in your possession
Heat is known to cause dehydration, and exercise adds to this as well. When running in the heat, you want to make sure you have an adequate supply of water and even other drinks with electrolytes if you prefer to do so. If you do not stay on top of your hydration, you can experience lightheadedness, headaches, nausea and even other more serious side effects if you are doing this for an extended period of time. When it is extremely hot out, this effect can be accelerated and make you more susceptible to experiencing these things. Keep a portable or sports water bottle on you at all times when running, and make sure it has a proper cooling system inside so you don’t end up drinking hot water under an already hot sun.

Only begin after you are well-fueled
Hydration is important, but so is making sure your body has the necessary nutrients and fuel to keep you energized and healthy. When you are active with an empty stomach, the activities feel harder on your body and you can even experience nausea. Making sure you are properly fueled is also the best way to avoid heat cramps, muscle cramps, and heat exhaustion.

Be sure to wear light, breathable clothing
If it is super hot outside, the last thing you want is to be wearing hot heavy clothing. Be mindful of the materials you wear; it is recommended to avoid cotton, and wear materials that are good at soaking up sweat. You also should choose to wear a visor instead of a hat, so that heat is able to escape from the top of your head. If you are wearing sunglasses, make sure they have slip resistance so they are not sliding down your face once you start to sweat.

Erik Halvorsen is a devoted father, loving husband, and ambitious innovator; he is consistently searching for new technology to help cure diseases, benefit patients’ lives, and change how we experience healthcare. He was named one of the top 30 Chief Innovation Officers in healthcare in the country, and he has been listed as one of the Top 40 Under 40 in Boston. Erik is also a member of the Forbes Technology Council.

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More about Erik Halvorsen

From a very young age, Erik Halvorsen wanted to be a doctor. He attended the University of Virginia and earned his B.A. in Psychology/Pre-Med. He then continued, getting his M.S. in Anatomy from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine before returning to Virginia to earn his Ph.D. in Pharmacology. This is when Erik found a love for research and innovation.

For almost 14 years in Boston, Erik led numerous teams focused on life sciences R&D across the Harvard system. He has worked with some top pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostics companies, and investors. After his time in Boston, Erik became the first Director of Innovation for the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the country. Erik knows firsthand the value of bringing cutting-edge technology into clinical use as his daughter (Dylan) was born with cardiac defects requiring numerous surgeries to repair.

Erik is a very frequent public speaker on innovation and trends in healthcare and has received numerous awards and accolades over his career. Erik has been named Top 40 Under 40 in Boston in 2011, and is a current member of the Forbes Technology Council, and was named one of the Top 30 Chief Innovation Officers in healthcare in 2018.

Currently, Erik serves as a Partner at pHpartners. This boutique healthcare investment company partners with leading businesses in therapeutics, digital health technology, and more. Erik lives in Bellaire, Texas, with his wife (Shana), daughter (Dylan), and son (Hunter). He enjoys spending time with his family in his spare time, whether it may be on or off the golf course. Erik continues to consult with cutting-edge healthcare startups, investors, and hospitals to bring new products to market that improve patient lives and transform healthcare.