For those of us who live in the swamp also known as Washington, DC, hot and humid summer days are nothing out of the ordinary (it’s a special thing when “feels like 90” is a relief after days of “feels like 105!”). Even for veterans of the heat, it can be a convenient excuse to take a day — or two, or three — away from activity.
With seemingly unusual weather patterns hitting the United States this summer, it seems like a good time to share some hot weather exercise tips:
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Not just before you exercise, but during and after, and just in general. Water is your friend.
- Exercise early in the morning, or later in the evening (personally, I think the morning is WAY more comfortable and has the benefit of fewer people and cars out).
- Hit the gym and work out inside, in the glory of air conditioning.
- Cut back a little (run a shorter route, or bike slower, or take more breaks).
- Dress for the temperature in wicking materials (with built-in SPF, if you have them) and light colors.
- Think about location, and opt for a walk, run, or bike on a route with more trees and less sun. Save your track workout for a cooler day (or before sun-up, if it’s a safe area).
- Don’t forget your sunscreen (this won’t keep you cool, of course, but you should still do it!).
- Consider hitting the local pool for some laps. Built-in heat relief!
- Love the sweat. Embrace it as a sign of your hard work, rather than dreading it. Believe it or not, this helps. A lot.
If the heat wave is short, maybe you can take a day or two off, but don’t let the heat keep you on the couch for too long!
Check out these specific tips for runners and bikers, and learn more about heat-related illnesses to keep yourself safe here.
The post Don’t Let the Heat Keep You on the Couch appeared first on Kaiser Permanente Center for Total Health.
