The summer is here and people are enjoying being outside. Whether it is soaking up the sun at the park, the beach, the pool, a backyard BBQ, or even heading out for your workout. In general, we tend to spend more time outside over the summer. The fresh air of being outside is a great change of pace from your regular gym routine.
Being outside more also means protecting yourself from the sun; one of the first things to do every morning is make you apply sun block on your face. Especially if you plan on being outside for a long period of time, apply sun block to you exposed skin. A plain white t-shirt has an SPF of about 7. SPF measures the sunscreen’s protection from UVB rays not UVA rays. UVB rays are the kind that cause sunburn and contribute to skin cancer. SPF does not measure how well a sunscreen will protect from UVA, rays, which are also damaging and dangerous. Dermatologists recommend using a SPF 15 or SPF 30 sunscreen. Higher SPF sunscreens may not provide much more protection. That being said, it is important to reapply sun block and give your skin a break from the sun every so often.
If you are planning an outdoor workout, here are a few tips to make sure you’re keeping your skin safe!
- Make sure your hydrated before the workout even starts
- Before leaving the house, apply sun block to allow it to soak in- it is very easy to get distracted once you step outside to the beautiful weather
- As you sweat, you may wipe away your sweat which will also wipe off your sun block. Try using a “Sport” sunscreen to help minimize this
- Post-workout, try to cool down by staying in the shade. Remember to reapply if you plan on staying out in the sun
Outdoor workouts are great as long as you are practicing safe sun! Remember that your skin is the largest organ you have and it is important to protect it.
By Corynne Duprey
