Ah, the joys of summer.
Long days filled with warm sunshine that are perfect for playing and picnicking at the park, hanging out at an oceanside beach, or exploring all that New Hampshire has to offer in the great outdoors.
But don’t forget about your health.
If you’re not careful, all of that sunshine, food and outdoor adventure could add up to over-indulgence, injury or illness.
Here’s a look at five safety tips designed to ensure that you and your family have a happy, healthy summer:
1. Be aware around water
One of the nice things about living in the Granite State is that there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy lakes, rivers and even the ocean.
But swimming, boating and other water-related activities come with a certain amount of risk.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, drownings are the leading cause of injury death for children ages 1 to 4, and males are three times more likely than females to die from unintentional drowning.
So before you or your loved ones dive in head first, make sure everyone knows how to swim, wears life jackets while boating and keeps an eye on one another.
2. Eat up the exercise
Just because Nat King Cole called them the “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer” doesn’t mean you should give up on your exercise routine.
Sure, it can be easy to spend all day lounging in a lawn chair sipping soda and chomping on chips, but you’ll feel better if you keep up with your workouts–and at least achieve the “Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans,” which are published by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
So don’t spend all your time sitting, sipping and snacking. Instead, make time to eat up the exercise.
3. Snack smartly
Oh yes, it can be easy to make bad dieting decisions when every day is filled with picnics, parties and happy hours on fabulous patios. That’s why snacking smartly is so important to your ability to have a healthy summer.
It also means you’re going to need a strategy.
The good news is that it’s pretty simple to develop a smart-snacking strategy:
- put something healthy in the picnic basket
- pay attention to portions
- stay away from starchy carbs
- prioritize your favorite foods
- limit your libations
4. Steer clear of the sun (or at least slather on the sunscreen)
Everyone loves the sun. And why not? It’s warm, bright and delivers much needed vitamin D.
But it can also be dangerous.
According to the CDC, the sun’s ultraviolet rays can damage your skin in as few as 15 minutes. And not only does sunburn hurt, but it can also lead to skin cancer.
So instead of laying out and trying to get tan, follow these tips from the CDC:
- seek out the shade
- wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever possible
- wear a hat and sunglasses
- slather yourself (and your loved ones) in sunscreen.
5. Know where to go in case of an emergency
The key to having a happy, healthy summer is to avoid injury and illness at all costs. But if you’re active, there’s a chance you’re going to get hurt or sick at one point or another. After all, poison ivy, bees and ankle sprains don’t discriminate.
So before you take off for the beach, hit the hills or go jumping off cliffs, makes sure you know where to go in case of problem. In most cases, that place is DMC Primary Care.
Did you know that DMC Primary Care provides same day urgent care services for our existing patients for all of the following?
- Colds, flu, fever, allergies
- Vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration
- Infections, sore throat, cough, UTI
- Sprains, strains, back problems, minor injuries
Here’s hoping you never need them, but if you do, our providers are available to our patients all summer long–24 hours a day, every day.
*Please note, DMC Primary Care is not a substitute for 911. For medical emergencies make sure to call them or visit the nearest emergency room.
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