With the weather forecasted to get warmer in the coming months, you may be looking forward to spending time in the sun. While spending time in the sun can be enjoyable and provide positive health benefits, we must be aware of the dangers that not protecting ourselves effectively from the sun can bring.
Not protecting yourself from the sun can be dangerous. Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn doesn’t just happen abroad. You can burn in the UK, even when it is cloudy. Not protecting yourself from the sun can cause eye damage, immune system suppression, and heatstroke.
From July to October, the sun is strongest between 11:00 and 15:00. You are most vulnerable to the sun’s harmful effects during these times. Therefore, you should make sure that you try to spend some time out of the sun and in the shade throughout this period.
During the warmest periods of the day, it is advisable to wear lightweight clothing to make you as comfortable as possible. Frequently apply a non-oil-based sunscreen of at least factor 30 while in the sun to protect yourself from sunburn.
When you are out in the sun, you should wear sunglasses with UV protection and a wide-brim hat to shade your face, neck, and ears, as they are the parts of your body at high risk of sunburn.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is crucial to our health, particularly in the sun. There is a higher risk of becoming dehydrated when the weather is hot. The key to staying hydrated is to drink regularly throughout the day.
As a healthy amount, you should drink at least six to eight glasses of fluid daily (you should consult your Healthcare Professional if you are on a fluid-restricted diet).
The healthiest drinks are water, diluted squash, and fruit juice. If you don’t enjoy drinking water, adding fruit to your glass, such as strawberries, will add more flavour and is a healthy alternative.
