Who doesn’t enjoy having a little fun in the sun? Summer time is the perfect time to kick off your winter boots and have some fun while the skies are clear and the sun is shining. However, the hot weather, summer attire and summer-related activities can all present a number of challenges for your health. Some of which you may be extremely surprised to learn about – trust me I was extremely shocked by some of these! On the plus side, there are easy ways protect yourself and still enjoy the summer sun.
How many of you live in flip-flops during the summer? Personally, I am a huge fan of flip-flops. They are comfy, inexpensive, easy to put on and I own a pair to match just about everything in my closet. Despite being warned numerous times by sports medicine and podiatric specialists not to wear flip-flops (I’ve got some special feet, they always seem to cause me some sort of grief), I just can’t seem to put away my go-to shoes. In a recent study published in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, research found that flip-flops can alter your gait, lead to increased instances of ankle sprains and cause other foot problems – like plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. Talk about painful walking! If you think your feet are too big or too wide, it is also important to note that wearing flip-flops too often can increase your chances of developing permanently wider feet. Since flip-flops provide no real support, the ligaments in your feet can become loose over a period of time.
Ladies, are you a sports fan? If not, do you find yourself spending countless hours at the ballpark with your die-hard, superfan boyfriend or husband? If the game is exciting and a down-to-the-wire kind of game, you may want to take the wheel on the drive home? Why? A North Carolina State University study found that fatal traffic accidents that occur after sporting events occur more frequently when the game was a nail biter as opposed to a blow-out. Researchers blame a spike in testosterone levels, which is linked to increased aggression.
How do you buy your lettuce? I’ll admit it – I’m not a big fan of having to clean my food before I cook it. Isn’t that why I go to the grocery store to buy my food instead of picking it out of the ground myself? No matter what the packaging says pre-washed or not, it is important that you wash that lettuce again. Research has found that numerous bags of pre-washed lettuce contain fecal contaminants and other bacteria. So do yourself and your loved ones favor and wash that lettuce again!
Who here hates Porta Pottis? ME, ME, ME! I’ll be the first to admit that I will walk well out of my way to avoid even taking the chance of smelling a Porta Potti will walking past. Going in a Porta Potti is an entirely different story. I’ve used one once in my life and probably used a half a bottle of hand sanitizer when I was finished. Porta Pottis are gross; there is no other way of putting it! However, not drinking a hot summer day can be dangerous. Avoiding hydration just so you don’t have to visit a Porta Potti is not a good idea. You can become dehydrated and develop heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is classified by nausea, weakness, excessive sweating and nausea. Remember, to keep drinking water regularly. Your other option is to try a sports drink, they contain electrolytes – including sodium. You lose electrolytes when you sweat so it is always a good idea to replenish them! Another option is to consume a salty snack and juice. This can actually help your body to retain water. If you don’t want to have to visit the Porta Potti, it is a great idea to avoid diuretics like alcohol and caffeine. Most importantly, if you got to go you got to go. Grab your hand sanitizer and some tissue cause trust us other problems can arise from fighting the urge to go.
Enjoy your summer!
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