Summer is the time to head outdoors to enjoy various activities and create lasting memories with your family and friends. However, the high temperatures and physical activities also increase the risk of accidents and diseases.
Whether you’re heading to the beach, hiking in the mountains, or renting out a pool house, you should always prioritize your health and safety. Read on for health and safety tips for summer that you can practice.
Prolonged exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to sunburn, premature wrinkles, and an increased risk of skin cancer. As such, protecting your skin should be your top priority whenever you go out.
The best way to do this is to apply sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30, 15 minutes before heading outdoors. Make sure you reapply it every two hours, or more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating a lot. On top of that, you should also consider wearing protective clothing, like long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses with UV protection.
One of the health precautions you can take during summer is to eat healthy. As mentioned before, it’s essential to eat water-rich food and vegetables. Since summer provides an opportunity to try fresh, seasonal food, why not find more options for your diet? Tomatoes, for instance, will help protect your skin from sun damage and improve your heart health. Coconut water is not only refreshing but also rich in electrolytes and replenishes minerals you’ve lost from sweating.
If you’re looking for sources of protein, grilled lean meat and fish will provide the necessary nutrients you need without any of the excessive saturated fats. You can even go for plant-based protein sources like tofu if you want to avoid meat entirely.
While we’re on the subject of food, it’s also important to remember food safety. Since summer gatherings will almost always involve outdoor dining, you should be careful when handling food to prevent foodborne illnesses.
The heat will cause food to spoil quickly, so make sure to keep them stored in cold containers and avoid leaving them out for an extended period of time. Keep raw and cooked food separate from each other as well so you can prevent the spread of bacteria.
When temperatures are higher, insects have an easier time keeping their bodies warmer and comfortable. This is why summer temperatures often draw out mosquitos and other flying insects. Ensure regular application of insect repellent as these insects can often transmit summer diseases like dengue.
A great summer health tip is to eliminate stagnant water by emptying containers and keeping outdoor areas dry because mosquitos can breed in these conditions. They also thrive on food, so don’t forget to properly store or throw away unfinished food to prevent them from infesting spaces.
Staying active is important, but you should remember to exercise safety when you’re out and about, especially in the summer heat. As stated before, always stay hydrated, especially when exercising. You can choose to exercise and do physical activities during the early morning or late evening when temperatures aren’t as high.
When venturing out in the sun, choose lightweight and breathable clothing to help regulate your body temperature. Swimming, surfing, and other water-based activities are excellent choices for staying active while simultaneously keeping your body cool.
Unexpected health issues and injuries may happen during your holiday, and paying for hospital fees, clinic checkups, and medicine while you’re on vacation can burn a hole in your pocket. That’s why it’s important for you to be prepared with additional health insurance.
Plans like Allianz Well! offer medical coverage of up to Php 100 million, allowing you access to the best medical facilities in the Philippines or anywhere in the world. This plan also covers vaccinations, dental and optical services, second opinion consultations, and even telemedicine.
Allianz Well! supports health-related pursuits with up to Php 10,000 reimbursements for wellness expenses like gym memberships and yoga classes. Think of getting rewarded for staying healthy!
