Tuesdays Tips N Tricks - Summer Sizzlin

Todays Tip comes from me watching waaaayy to much Weather Channel. Its my background noise during the day when I am home. I just happened to be actually watching it this morning and was reminded of my summer days in Louisiana. WOW talk about HOT!

The first day of summer this year is June 21st. We all know it gets uuber hot outside long before that day. Heck, its 90 degrees here in VA as I type this!
The girls and I LOVE to swim in the backyard pool or beach it and play in the sand. Hanging out there a few hours then packing up to go indoors, I realize that I'm getting tired very quickly. I chalk it up to having 2 very active girls to chase and play with the entire day. Yes that may be a small part of it but I couldnt be more wrong!
This would be one of the signs for dehydration and heat related illness (heat exhaustion and heat stroke). These are very serious especially when it comes to small children.
This is where you say..."Oh I'm used to the heat, it doesnt effect me".

Is your body acclimatized to the heat? Did you know it takes your body 12-14 days to adjust to the overwhelmingly hot summer heat? Once it does, your body increases the need for fluids. If its not accommodated, will put you in a higher risk category for heat related illness.
Its best to drink fluids before you get the feeling of being thirsty...once you get that urge, its too late. Your body is already dehydrated.

Six signs or symptoms of dehydration:

• Dry lips and tongue
• Headache
• Weakness, Dizziness or extreme fatigue
• Concentrated urine that is darker than normal
• Nausea
• Muscle Cramps
• Thirst (duh!)
• Chills
  

What do you do to prevent heat related illness? I'm glad you asked!!
Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing. Take a break in the shade or bring your umbrella with you to the beach! I've had some weird looks thrown my way when I bring my "rain" umbrella to the beach. We do have a "beach" umbrella but it refuses to stay upright in the sand and could you see me strollin up and down the beach carrying it? What a sight!
Most important of all DRINK DRINK DRINK! Sweet...lets break open that frosty adult beverage!! Uh huh and that will dehydrate you faster than sitting in the sun for 4 hours!
Drink fluids 2-3 hours prior to going out and again 2 hours or so after being in the sun. Water, Gatorade (we drink G2, 1/2 the sugar) are the best but any liquid without caffeine or alcohol is good. Try putting some Gatorade in your toddler/childs water bottle instead of fruit juice. Dont like plain water or Gatorade? Most grocery stores have those little packets of flavoring like Crystal Light you can add to your pre-purchased water bottle.

Lastly, while we are on topic of sun damage, slather it up!

Just so you know... this will not reduce your chances of getting heat stroke.

Get yourself a good sunscreen with Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide in the ingredients. These are the only ingredients that will protect you from UVA and UVB sun rays. The others will prevent you from burning but thats only half the battle. Some good brands are Neutrogena or Baby Blanket. Just make sure to read the ingredients!
Before I had my gorgeous girls, I was an office assistant at a rather large dermatologist/plastic surgeons clinic in Chicagoland.
I saw many elderly people come and go that needed treatment on their skin, faces, noses, foreheads, hands. Chunks of cancerous skin removed and unsightly stitches and scarring left in its place. God bless them, they didnt have the means we do now to protect themselves but it left a lasting impression on me.
I would post pictures of what sun damage can do to you and look like 20 years from now but I would hate to have you vomiting all over your keyboard. ;)

Now that I have thoroughly grossed you out...grab your towels, flip-flops and bathing suits and have "safe" fun in the sun. I know I sound like my grandmother, "be careful deary, you'll hurt yourself".
Well you will thank me in 20 years.