Summer is my favorite season. I personally love hot weather and being outdoors. With high heat warnings throughout the midwest, however, it is essential that you take precautions and be smart. You do not want to become a victim of heat exhaustion, or worse yet, heat stroke because these are serious medical conditions that can be life threatening.
Mackenzie Madison, professional triathlete
Wear loose fitting light in color clothing, drink plenty of water, or better yet coconut water, before during and after your outdoor activities. Stay in the shade as much as possible, apply and reapply sunscreen and replace your electrolytes. We loose three main minerals when we sweat; calcium, potasium, and magnesium, which can be critically dangerous leading to fatigue, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, headaches and even organ failure. If this happens to you, see a doctor immediately.
Enjoying yoga on a boat at Lake Cumberland in Kentucky
When your core body temperature rises to 101 degrees as it does in hot yoga (as it will with these naturally high temperatures and high heat indexes outdoors), it allows the body a higher range of flexibility and potentially greater athletic performance. However, if you loose too many of these minerals it can cause you to pass out or even worse, to die. Foods high in these electrolyte replacing minerals are almonds, avocados, dark leafy greens, coconut water, bananas, and cheese. Also be careful not to allow your body to rise above 104 degrees, this is when it gets truly dangerous.
Mackenzie Madison from kenzmadison.com
Swimming is a wonderful way to get a great workout and still keep your body cool. Whatever you do, just be safe and enjoy! Find your inner child and live each day to the fullest riding the waves of life with gratitude and grace!
Cheers,
Libby