Sunstroke-Free Sports

How to Keep Your Cool

Sunshine beckons us outside. It positively energizes us. Who doesn't feel like jumping up and playing outdoors on a lovely, balmy day?

Despite the appeal, the brightest days can be dangerous, if you don't take certain precautions.

How can you prevent hot weather burnout? Sunstroke can be quite hazardous, or even life-threatening. But, if you are careful, you can have a super day in the sun!

What Is Sunstroke?

Essentially, sunstroke occurs as the human body reacts to overexertion in the heat or overexposure to the sun. This heat-generated condition can cause headache, muscle pains, fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and other unpleasant symptoms. A person may have dry, red skin.

How can you prevent sunstroke?

Basically, you need to stay out of the hot sun. That's pretty hard to do, particularly if you enjoy it! However, you can participate in the wonderful and warm outdoors, if you take a few protective steps:

Wear a wide-brimmed hat and protective sunglasses.

Light, breathable clothing helps. (Sun-protective fabrics are available.) Light colors reflect the sun. Darker colors absorb it, so you will actually feel hotter when you wear these.

Carry a parasol or even an umbrella, if you have extremely sensitive skin.

Avoid the mid-day heat by reserving outdoor activity for early and late in the day.

Although sunburn dangers tend to be highest from 10 am to 2 pm, the hottest stretch of the day is usually from noon until sunset. During this period, the ground has heated up. We all know which direction heat moves!

Stay off dark surfaces, such as blacktop, as these can actually burn you on a hot day.

Overall, try to limit your outdoor exercise on hot, humid days. Stay out of direct sunlight for strenuous activity, if you can.

Keep your water tank full.

Be sure to drink plenty of water, whether you feel thirsty or not, particularly on a hotter day. Alcoholic beverages actually contribute to dehydration. If you drink cocktails in the heat, try to alternate each drink with a glass of cold water.

Seek shade as often as you can.