Top 6 Ways to Deal with the Intense Sun – Dangers of a Record Breaking Heatwave and How to Cope

The sun is our number one source of vitamin D, so while it’s important to take some in, too much can be very dangerous. An heatwave can cause a lot of serious damage.

Record-breaking temperatures have sent people to the hospital and caused delivery drivers to pass out.

It’s incredibly dangerous to be in the intense heat for so long, so we have to do everything in our power to protect ourselves.

Too much exposure to sun can cause fatigue, dehydration, headaches, and puts you at risk for skin cancer, so read these tips to stay safe today!

6 Tips to Dealing with Sun Heatwave

Here are 6 amazing and effective tips to keep you safe during the hottest summer to date.

The sixth tip might be the most impractical, yet effective one, too! An intense heatwave can be dangerous if not taken seriously.

1. Stay Hydrated

Having sufficient water is incredibly important to overall health. Water is involved in many chemical reactions in the body, it is used to digest food, and regulate body temperature.

Plus, when we’re hot, we sweat.

It’s a biological response to heat, as sweating can help us cool off. The dangers come when we do not have sufficient hydration to produce sweat, which can more quickly lead to overheating.

Make sure you are drinking enough water to keep cool and healthy. Getting enough water can even help you fight tiredness and fatigue, leaving you energized and refreshed.

2. Reapply Sunscreen Frequently 

When the sun is so intense, it is very important to reapply sunblock, even before the recommended two hours. A heatwave can cause you to need more sunscreen than usual.

Both chemical and physical sunblocks should be reapplied, by trying to avoid aerosol and powder sunscreens. These types of sun protection tend to lead to uneven applications and inefficient protection.

Find out everything you need to know about sunscreen here.

Sweat, movement, and dirt can all reduce the effectiveness of sunblock, so make sure you are using enough.

This means two fingers for the face and neck and about 1.5 ounces for the body.

3. Wear Protective Clothing

Protective clothing is like a physical barrier between the sun and you.

Use sunglasses, hats, umbrellas, long sleeves, etc., to protect yourself from the sun. Cover what you can without risking overheating. Don’t wear a jacket, do wear a thin long sleeve 

There are even some clothing that comes with an SPF protection rating, giving you even more protection than regular clothing.

4. Wear Lighter Colors

Lighter colors like white will reflect the heat from the sun, whereas darker colors like black will absorb the heat from the sun.

Make sure you are wearing bright, light colors to ensure less heat is accumulated.

A long-sleeved white top will feel much cooler than a short sleeve black top.

5. Get Enough Electrolytes

Electrolytes are necessary for health. They are positive and negative changes that regulate chemical reactions in the body.

You can add electrolytes to your drinks by adding a pinch of salt, lemon, or lime, or buying a pre-made solution of electrolytes.

Fun fact, if someone that is dehydrated tries to drink plain water, the body has trouble processing it and they usually throw it up. By having a salt or sugar solution, you had electrolytes and reduce the stress in the body as the composition of water is more like your body’s own.

Bonus Tip

6. Take a Nap 

Introducing the siesta, an afternoon nap tradition that is still prevalent in many places in Europe, but that too is fading with longer work hours and more demands.

Traditionally, however, the siesta was a part of everyday habits.

This nap is usually done after your lunch when the sun is particularly bright.

Napping can offer a variety of benefits such as improved mood and increased focus, but the important one here is that napping regulates body temperature. Sleep is a state in which the body repairs and the system returns to homeostasis. This means a siesta can help you recover from the heat and reduce sun exposure.

A nap should be around 15 to 35 minutes, as any longer may make you feel groggy.

The Takeaway 

Make sure you protect yourself from an extreme heatwave with these tips.

It is vital to skin health that you protect yourself with sunblock, light-colored clothing, and protective articles like sunglasses and hats.

Hydrate, drink with electrolytes, wear SPF and reapply more frequently to combat high temperatures.

The funniest and most effective tip might be napping, but that may not be accessible to everyone, particularly with the busy workdays.

Small changes and habits can help you live a longer, happier life, so make the necessary adjustments to increase wellbeing today!