Beat the summer heat!

If you are living in Broward County, you know we have skipped right over spring and into summer.  Temperatures easily passing the 90-degree mark with humidity well over 50% make trips from the car to the front door feel like a marathon. As summer rolls on, here are tips to stay cool and avoid heat exhaustion while exercising through the next few months.

While it is great that summer presents with more daylight one down side is the heat that comes with it. Especially here in Florida, it can be a challenge to work with when exercising outside.  The goal is to find ways to work around the heat rather than ending up with any serious heat-related illnesses. Here are 5 tips that will help you stay active this summer!

1. Increase water intake! This is a no-brainer, with increased heat means more perspiration.  Dehydration can lead to many symptoms other than a sluggish workout. Headaches, constipation, confusion and fatigue are just a few symptoms that could be cause from dehydration.  The best bet is to drink half your body weight in ounces throughout the day. If exercising, it is best to increase your water intake to make up for water loss during exercise.
2. Cross train – now is a great time to pick up swimming! If you are used to an afternoon workout, maybe hit the pool or an inside gym and change up the routine.  If you are a runner, it has been shown that weight lifting help increase speed and strength for a distance runner.
3. Change your exercise time – with more daylight, means more time to exercise! As the sun begins to set, temperatures start to cool, which means less heat exhaustion for you!
4. Seek Shade – if you are a runner or into cycling, try to find trails.  Staying under a shady canopy of trees keeps the sun off your back and lets you explore nature at the same time!
5. Be patient – if you are going to workout as normal, give yourself 1-2 weeks to acclimate to the weather.  This may include scaling your typical workout down or moving at a slower pace.

It is also important to do your best to balance your electrolytes as well.   These are your positive and negative ions in a cell, which are fancy words for things like sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.  Although it is best to stay hydrated, do your part to make sure you are getting proper electrolyte balance as well. Over hydration can dilute the electrolytes in the body and lead to an imbalance that can cause heat camps or heat exhaustion. So keep snacks such as peanuts, bananas, and salads close by that you can eat throughout the day!

Enjoy being active this summer, and remember Stumpff Chiropractic is here to keep you active all summer long! Call 954-368-4054 or visit www.stumpffchiro.com for more information.