Summer is heating up! Here are some of our favorite ways to keep cool and active during the summer:
Dress lighter.
Keep your clothing light and refreshing. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing in light colors. Wear breathable hats and shoes. Tennis shoes are good for invigorating activities but block the loss of heat from your body through your feet. Cool down with a pair of comfortable sandals or flip-flops.
Eat cooler.
You are what you eat, especially in the summer. When the heat spikes, it is essential to drink water and eat light. Staying hydrated is key when it comes to enjoying your summer and time outside. Try to keep water handy when you are out and about. Graze when you eat as eating a large meal would make you feel warmer and even sick. Vegetables and tart fruits are best at keeping you energized throughout the day. Limit the amount of carbonated and artificially sweetened liquids you drink or offset them with appropriate amounts of water. Water helps flush toxins from your body which is especially helpful when you want to feel good for events and outings when it’s muggy outside.
Wear sunscreen.
Sunburns are very uncomfortable when it’s warm but almost unbearable when it’s hot/sweltering outside. Apply adequate SPF sunscreen (30 SPF for most skin types, 45+ for fair toned skin) at least 15 minutes prior to being in the sun or entering water. This allows the sunscreen to be absorbed for optimal skin protection. Reapply every hour for the best coverage. Test out sunscreens before a big trip or excursion so you know what to expect from your lotion. Better safe than sorry when it comes to the sun!
Find Water.
Find a local pool or splash park for quick, cool fun. Most swimming pools have seasonal family memberships which are good options for those who will be able to venture to the pool often.
Create covered outdoor play areas.
Shade lowers the heat index of certain spaces upwards of 10 degrees. Play under trees or hang old sheets over your patio to create some cooler play zones!
Play with ice.
Whether you are at an amusement park, baseball game, or hanging out at home, ice can be a fun and easy way to stay cool. Create your own air-conditioning with a cup of ice. Blow into the cup over the ice and feel the cool breeze. At home, create sidewalk chalk icicles for your children to play and create cool summer art. Freeze small toys in ice then bring with you to events. Have your children find ways to get the toy or let it melt on its own. Larger ice blocks create fun for a larger group of children, while smaller individual ice cubes create a fun attention grabbing activity for one.
Get active early.
As it is cooler in the morning, go on fun walks with your children in the morning before the day heats up. Visit parks, discover outdoor trails, or go on a bike ride. Discover the world around you during the summer by exploring in the morning when the humidity and heat are lowest. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks on your adventures!
Plan afternoons indoors.
After your fun morning outdoor excursions, plan on keeping cool indoors during the hottest part of the day. Visit the library, go see a movie, or create any of these fun activities at home:
Read a story and act it out.
Create with cardboard boxes and recyclables.
Make bird feeders and bird baths
Choreograph a musical or dance to a movie soundtrack
Keep your vehicle cool.
Cars can get extremely warm during the summer months and quite uncomfortable to jump into. Keep your car cool by finding a parking space in the shade if available, facing your car away from the sun when parked, and using sun shades to reflect the sun. These measures will keep the surfaces in your car blocked from direct sun and help keep your vehicle cooler. Use sun shades on the rear windows for cars with little to no window tint.
