Check out these 5 ways to enjoy summer the safe and healthy way
Summer in the Philippines falls between March and May, which brings warmer weather with spikes in temperature that can often cause dehydration and heat exhaustion. As this season begins, we must gear up to protect our skin and overall health.
If you plan to go on a summer getaway soon, check out these helpful tips to help you stay safe and healthy this season.
- Stay cool and hydrated
A healthy summer starts with the standard eight glasses of drinking water daily. Considering drinking more during extreme heat even if you don’t feel thirsty, because you tend to lose more fluids when you sweat.
Tip: Add a refreshing flavor to your drink with fruit slices like frozen berries, mint leaves, and lime. Occasionally treating yourself with summer fruits with high water content wouldn’t hurt either. Think fresh slices of watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber, and tomatoes. - Limit your time under the sun
It’s also important to limit your time in the sun when its rays are most intense between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Doing so will help lower your risk for sunburn, skin cancer, and early skin aging. When possible, stay in the shade under an umbrella, tree, or other shelter. - Wear sunscreen and protective clothing
If you can’t keep away from the sun, you can at least prevent direct and prolonged exposure to its harmful UV rays by wearing sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing sunscreens that offer a sun protection factor (SPF) value of 30 or higher, broad-spectrum protection to block UVA and UVB rays, and water-resistance.
Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends sunscreen application at least 20 minutes before going out and reapplication every two hours after swimming or sweating.
It's also recommended to wear loose clothing that can cover as much skin as possible and protective accessories, such as wide-brimmed hats to shade the face, and sunglasses that can block both UVA and UVB rays to protect your eyes. - Get moving
It's still important to stay active even during summer and when you’re on vacation. The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity every week to keep your body fit and healthy. It can also result in better sleep and reduced anxiety when you do it regularly. - Manage your health
Keeping up with your health is also a must, especially when skin diseases and illnesses, such as heat stroke, diarrhea, and flu are most common this season. Managing your health starts by ensuring you’re eating healthy, getting enough exercise, and scheduling regular consultations with your doctor. This may also be the time to consider investing in your health to ensure you're prepared for what this season and the whole year may bring.
Getting health and investment insurance, for example, can provide you with financial security during emergencies. You can choose from an affordable and comprehensive health insurance plan with maximum coverage tailored to your needs and lifestyle. These can be beneficial if you want to minimize your expenses on medical bills and reduce your financial vulnerability to illnesses altogether.
Know you can game plan your way to having a healthy summer by managing your health with AXA’s health insurance plans. For more information, talk to an AXA financial advisor.
