Spending time in the sun has many benefits. But whatever activity takes you out in the sun, you need to make sure you take measures to protect yourself, as the sun can also have negative effects. Big or small, good or bad, it’s good to be informed about how the sun affects people before you spend lots of time under it!
Stay Hydrated
You should stay hydrated when spending a lot of time in the sun, as it can increase the risk of dehydration and heat illness. To help you combat this, drink the right amount of water daily. According to ER Near Me, adults should aim to drink eight 8-oz glasses of water a day. Children should be drinking less water than adults, but still need to be getting enough for their own age and activity level. Also, you should drink more than usual when you are spending more time in the sun to help prevent the extra water loss.
Take Care of Your Skin
The UV rays from the sun damage your skin cells, and this damage can lead to an increased risk for melanoma. According to Blake Charles Salon, you should regularly apply sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. An SPF 30 is a good option, as it blocks 97% of the UVB rays that come from the sun. You can choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that will also protect from UVA rays. Make sure to re-apply if you are outside for a long time, in water, or sweating.
Vitamin D
According to Verilux, the sun plays an important role in helping your body make vitamin D, which is important for your health. For that reason, getting some sun every day is important. Between 11am and 3pm is a great time to get this vitamin. Go outside for 10-15 minutes, for lighter skin types, or a bit longer for darker skin types. Make sure sensitive areas of the body are covered such as your ears and face and focus on your arms, hands, and legs.
The sun is wonderful at providing light and helping you produce vitamin D. But it can be extremely harsh and do some damage if you are not careful. You should always plan to protect yourself when you know you will spend prolonged time in the sun.
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