It's only May and the mercury's already climbed past 90 degrees. It's gonna be a HOT summer!
Here are some tips to keep cool when exercising outdoors:
- Timing is everything. Exercise in the morning or evening when it’s cooler.
- Start slowly. If you haven’t been exercising outside, you’ll want to give your body a chance to acclimate to the heat.
- Carry a bottle of cold water (ice water is even better) and drink it while you’re exercising.
- Wear loose-fitting, light colored clothing. Remember, in order for your body to cool itself, sweat needs to evaporate. Wear clothing that breathes.
- Exercise in the shade as much as possible.
Unfortunately, even when common sense prevails and you do everything “right”, it’s still possible to become overheated. It’s important to know the signs:
- Weakness
- Increased heart rate and respiration
- Nausea
- Headache
- Feeling very hot, sometimes followed by chills
- Lack of perspiration
If you think you have heat exhaustion:
- Get out of the heat and into the AC
- If you can’t go indoors, find a cool, shady place
- Drink plenty of water/cool beverages
