5 Health Tips for the Summer

The secret to enjoying the warm summer weather is to maintain good health. Unfortunately, many people neglect their personal health during this time of year. Regardless of what activities you have planned for the summer, you should consider the following health tips.

#1) Wear Sunscreen

You should wear sunscreen during the summer. Prolonged sun exposure is one of the biggest risk factors for skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one in five U.S. adults will develop some form of skin cancer during their lifetime. Sunscreen will shield your skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays so that it doesn't increase your risk of skin cancer.

#2) Beware of Ticks

Rates of tick-borne illness are on the rise. When venturing into wooded areas, you need to beware of ticks. Ticks can carry a variety of bacterial or viral diseases, including Lyme disease. And it only takes a single bite from one of these arachnids to cause an infection. To protect against tick bites, consider wearing long-sleeve shirts and full-length pants. You may also want to use insect repellent to discourage ticks from biting your skin.

#3) Stay Hydrated

Don't forget to stay hydrated during the summer. Research shows that up to two-thirds of all U.S. adults are dehydrated. When dehydrated, you may experience symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps and headache. In severe cases of dehydration, your body may overheat altogether. Staying hydrated will protect you from these adverse symptoms so that you can safely enjoy the summer.

#4) Avoid Midday Hours

Another health tip for the summer is to avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the midday hours. As you may already know, it's typically the hottest during the middle of the day. You can still go outdoors during the midday hours. But if you're planning to jog, cycle or perform other strenuous activities, you may want to do it either in the morning or evening when it's cooler outside.

#5) Follow a Balanced Diet

You should follow a balanced diet during the summer as well. This means eating plenty of fruits and veggies along with lean meats. Keep in mind that you should include fats in your diet -- but not just any type of fats. Some fats are good for your health, whereas others are bad for your health. Good fats consist of unsaturated fats. They are considered good because they promote healthy cholesterol levels.