Summer Rules

Summer is officially here.  The sun is shining, no jackets required, flip-flops are the shoe of choice, strawberries and watermelons are in season, umbrellas perch on the sides of drinks and many of us will head to the beach.  To truly enjoy this season you should keep in mind the following beach health tips to have a truly safe and spectacular summer.

Sunscreen, sunscreen and more sunscreen – Don’t leave home without it on. Slather it on from your face, to your toes.  Lather on more than you think you need and you’ll still probably be shy of doctors recommended amounts.  Having the same tube or can of sunscreen all season is not a good thing and yes, you need to re-apply frequently. 

Safe swimming – Remember to swim in areas that have Lifeguards, and never ignore a warning sign for unsafe waters.  The myth of waiting an hour after you eat before you go swimming is just that – a myth.  But be careful to not be too quick to enter the water if you had a really big lunch – you might experience cramps or nausea.  If you are swimming laps, a small nutritious snack (think less than 200 calories) eaten 10 minutes before your swim might actually help fuel your workout.

Creatures of the Sea - Jellyfish stings hurt!  But don’t make it worse by having someone pee on the sting.  Vinegar is what you need to deactivate the venom.  According to Mark Schick, collections manager at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium as you pour the vinegar, scrape off any barbs with the edge of a credit card.  If you feel nauseated after being stung, head to the hospital for a thorough exam.

Hold the Mayo – Nothing ruins a beach picnic worse than spoiled food.  Ok, maybe sand in your food that then crunches between your teeth can put a damper on things, but that is only annoying – spoiled food is sickening.  Pack foods with lots of ice and be mindful to create a spread that doesn’t have mayo or many refrigerated items.

Summertime is the season for easy, carefree times.  Keep it that way by following the tips listed above.  Now sit back, sip and relax.