STAYING active throughout the year benefits your bones and joints, helping to strengthen them, while improving flexibility, and keeping you in shape.
However, when dealing with the scorching summer temperatures, you may feel like it is simply too hot to do some of your favourite physical activities, such as jogging and heavy lifting.
A beautiful sunny day is the ultimate motivation to go outside and play, but the summer heat and exercise can be a risky combination.
The good news is that there are several ways to stay active throughout the warm summer months without putting yourself at a greater risk of suffering from heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke.
1. Go for a swim
Swimming is one of the best exercises to do throughout the summer because you are participating in a full-body workout without feeling hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable.
Even if you do not have a pool at home, you can visit a local YMCA or recreation centre in your area that have a pool where you can do some laps, stretches, and water exercises.
It is the perfect way to beat the summer heat, while focusing on staying in shape, strengthening your muscles and ligaments, and living a healthier, more active lifestyle.
2. Exercise inside your home or at the gym
On days when the heat index is too high, your best bet is to exercise indoors instead of stepping outside.
You may feel tempted to go for that jog, but it is not worth it when dealing with scorching temperatures and high humidity.
Instead, head over to an air-conditioned gym to do your running on the treadmill or stay at home and do some aerobic exercises.
Even the most straightforward exercises completed at home can help you burn calories, strengthen your muscles, and stay active, such as jogging in place, completing a series of squats and lunges, and even doing pilates.
Make sure you are stretching before doing any of these exercises to prevent injuries when working out.
Exercising earlier in the day
If you are adamant about going out for a run, be sure to do it early in the morning, before the heat of the day.
If you get up early in the morning, you can get out the door before the sun is at its peak and the humidity is at its worst.
When planning to go out running in the morning, apply sunscreen and do a few quick stretches before you start.
Nighttime walks
Nighttime workouts can also help you escape the heat and stay active.
You do not have to do anything too strenuous to see good results.
If it is safe in your area to go for nighttime walks, consider wearing a reflector jacket, and taking a stroll around the neighbourhood.
By the time the sun sets, the temperature should drop, and the humidity will likely be much lower, leaving you with a nice breeze to enjoy as you stay active.
Staying active is the perfect way to maintain healthy and strong bones, muscles, and ligaments, but it is easier said than done when dealing with hot summer weather.
Keep your body moving and beat the heat with these simple ways to exercise and stay cool!
Wear light-coloured, lightweight clothing
Dark colours absorb the heat, which can make you feel as if you are wrapped in a warm blanket.
Heavyweight, tight-fitting clothing will also heat you up.
Keep it loose.
Keep it light.
More air will be able to circulate over your skin, keeping you cool.
Drink up
Exercising in hot weather increases our body temperature.
Our body’s natural cooling system can start to fail if we are exposed to soaring temperatures for too long.
The result may be heat exhaustion that awful fatigue that makes you feel as if one more step could be your last.
You may even suffer heat stroke.
If the humidity is also way up, you are in double trouble because your sweat “sticks” to your skin; it does not evaporate as readily, which can send body temperature even higher.
To keep cool, drink plenty of water. – Online.
