Here we are again, it’s the season of sunshine and warm breezes. It’s the season where hair gets lighter, skin gets darker, water gets warmer, drinks gets colder and mornings gets louder and longer. It’s the season where life gets better and all you want to do is race outside to feel the sunrays tickling your face while you lay down by the beach sipping a chilled tropical drink; but before you do, make sure you are ready for everything the season can throw at you.
That means more than just applying sunscreen and wearing big hats to protect your hair, this means protecting yourself from food poisoning, raging poison ivy or spraining an ankle. We have spoken to different doctors and asked for the best advice on staying safe this summer season.
Getting in shape before swimsuit season is a must for many people, but excessive exercising can lead to overuse injuries, said fitness trainer Mustafa Saleh. “Exercise should be a lifestyle and not a quick fix before a certain event or season. You should do sports everyday for at least 30 minutes because its better for your body, as opposed to shocking it with three hours at the gym once a week,” he said. “Small doses of exercise will work on your body better because it needs a long time to shape up; if you shock your body with sports it will harm your muscle tissues and cause pain,” he added.
If you are not a walker, you are not a jogger and if you are not a jogger you are not a runner, according to Saleh. “Always start your session with a walk, you can walk everyday to burn calories. If you have been walking everyday it is safe for you to jog and then run but if you jump to jogging or running it can cause slips and sprains,” he said. “Pick an outdoor activity and enjoy the weather; it can also be a good way for family members to bond while hiking, swimming, cycling or even roller blading,” he added.
Protect your eyes and don’t wear eye contacts under the sun, says ophthalmologist Dr. Shoroog Badr. “During summer mornings, protect your vision by wearing sunglasses that block at least 80 percent of ultraviolet A and B rays and help reduce wrinkles around the eyes,” she said. “Wearing eye contacts under the sun can harm the nerves in your eyes, as contacts are mostly made of plastic and can melt easily. I recommend wearing glasses during the day and if you need to wear contacts, try to not look directly into the sun,” she added.
Another vacation spoiler is toothache; visit your dentist before you plan your trip. “Cleaning your teeth take only 30 minutes of your time. Stop by your dentist to get rid of your pain and get a polished smile to wear all season long,” said dentist Dr. Marwa Talal. “Summer is the season for ice cold drinks and if your teeth are sensitive, you won’t be able to enjoy your favorite ice-cream treats during the hot season. A visit to the dentist before your vacation can relieve the discomfort by providing your teeth with a shield. Also make sure you floss during the break to reduce bacteria and improve your overall body health,” she added.
Eat better to liver longer, according to nutritious Rana Kahli. “To avoid food poisoning try to search for well-known restaurants by reading online reviews. Some destinations are known for unhygienic food, so you are safer opting to eat at the restaurant or spoiling yourself with room service,” she said. “If you chose to eat outside, stick to grilled meats and only eat seafood if you are in a city adjacent to the beach,” she concluded.
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