6 Tips for Summer Exercise

 With the summer temperatures increasing, it is important to take extra precautions when working out especially if you are outside.

1. Know your body: you may have to lower your intensity or duration when working out outside, know when your body has had enough and don't be ashamed to call it quits.

2. Check the weather: extra heat puts extra stress on your body, take breaks in the shade or walk instead of run, and if the heat and humidity get too high move your workout inside.

3. Stay hydrated: if your just walking around the park for less than an hour, take water to sip on with you; if your doing a longer duration work out, stop every 20 minutes to drink water; sports drinks can also help to restore electrolytes and carbs that have been lost during a workout.

4. Stay cool: sit in an air-conditioned room, take a cold shower or drink iced water before heading out to work out in the heat.

5. Don't think about the heat: thinking too much about how hot it is can mess with your head, don't become overwhelmed with the heat, instead convince yourself that the weather isn't bad and there is a nice breeze out.

6. Protect your skin: direct sun exposure and sunburn can help the body heat up and hold in heat, before you head out to work out in the sun lather on the sun screen or wear lightweight clothing to protect your skin; don't forget a hat and lip balm, theres nothing worse than a burnt scalp and chapped lips!