Techniques for Surviving in the Sun
- According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, exposure to the sun's harmful rays increases your risk of skin cancer. To avoid the damaging rays from reaching your skin, apply 1 oz. of a broad-spectrum sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors. A sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more can adequately protect your skin. The higher the SPF, the longer your skin is protected before reaching its burning point. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after excessive sweating or water exposure.
- Sweating is your body's natural way of cooling itself down. Because sun exposure causes you to sweat, you may get dehydrated. Drink water all throughout the day, even when you're not thirsty. If you are thirsty, you've waited too long. Heavy activity in hot weather is not recommended, but if you do decide to be active, rest frequently and drink up to 32 oz. of water every hour. Avoid alcohol and caffeine because these have a diuretic effect on the body and dehydrate you even more.
- Instead of basking in the sun, seek the cooler temperatures of shady areas. Go into air-conditioned public buildings if the sun is getting unbearable. Shopping malls, movie theaters and libraries all have air conditioning and can help cool you off. Put on a wide-brimmed hat, carry an umbrella and wear loose, dark-colored clothing to protect your skin from the sun. Washing your clothes with a sunscreen-containing laundry additive that raises the materials' ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) can also help protect you. UPF protects you from ultraviolet rays that try to penetrate through your clothing. Sun-blocking clothing that already has UPF build in can be purchased from various online retailers.
- What you eat can also contribute to your body heat. Avoid spicy foods and large protein-rich meals because these warm your body even more due to the increase of metabolic heat. If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, practice extra caution when out in the sun. Medications you take, including certain oral contraceptives and antibiotics, can increase your sensitivity to the sun and make you burn more easily. Beta blockers, antidepressants and diuretics can also be an obstacle because they can interfere with your body's hydration.
