Enjoying the Summer Safely

Enjoying the Summer Safely

Technically, it's still Spring and Summer should be right around the corner.

In reality, many of us have been unceremoniously reminded to be careful of what we wish for when it comes to busting out the shorts and t-shirts after a long winter.

With DC hitting near record highs this week , it's important to remember that protecting ourselves from the heat and humidity goes beyond wishing it away.

Dehydration, heat stroke and exhaustion play an all too common role in defining the summer months, but they don't need to.

In the spirit of keeping our bodies healthy, here are some tips for enjoying summer safely:

1. Stay hydrated.

In addition to heat and humidity, several lesser-known factors can contribute to dehydration, including air conditioning, antihistamines and caffeine. So if you find yourself taking your daily allergy pill with your morning iced coffee while you sit in your air conditioned office, you may want to re-examine just how much water you're drinking to compensate.

2. Eat small

Frequent, small-portioned meals high in water content (think melons and lettuce) are a safe bet. For more tips, check out Adam Morgenstern's "How to Eat During a Heat Wave"


3. Avoid drinking too much alcohol

As fun as the summer-time vacation drinks can be, alcohol "impairs the body's ability to regulate its temperature."

For more tips on protecting yourself and recognizing different symptoms of heat exhaustion, check out ABC's "12 Heat Safety Tips for the Summer"