Summer has just begun and temperatures in the San Fernando Valley have already exceeded 100 degrees. For those working outside, the heat can be especially grueling.
To keep yourself safe during high temperatures, here are five tips you can follow:
1 – Stay Hydrated
This advice isn’t limited to only water; you want to replace electrolytes lost through sweat. Alternate between bottles of water and bottles of sports drinks. Aim to drink at least one bottle every hour. Failure to remain hydrated can negatively impact your muscles’ ability to work, making the jobs feel even more taxing than usual.
2 – Refuel Your Body
Alongside staying hydrated, you must also keep your energy levels up through food. You will want to eat regularly in smaller quantities. By breaking this up into smaller portions, your body won’t have to work as hard to digest a large meal, an act that often leaves you feeling sluggish.
3 – Choose the Right Workwear
You will want to opt for lightweight, breathable workwear that also offers UV protection against the sun’s rays. Polyester and polyester/cotton blends are ideal here, providing breathability and airflow. These materials also have sweat-wicking characteristics, drawing sweat away from the skin and cooling the body down quickly.
4 – Wear Sunscreen
When working in the sun, you need to cover any exposed skin with sunscreen. This not only helps protect from the pain of sunburn but can also help stave off skin cancer resulting from consistent UV damage to the skin. Have a bottle of factor 30 (minimum) with you throughout the workday, topping up your skin every two hours.
5 – Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Your body has to work harder in the heat to keep its temperature down. Therefore, sleep is crucial for reparation and rejuvenation to prepare yourself for the next working day. Plan a routine that will allow you time for eight hours of sleep. Try to avoid eating within the two-hour window before bed and spend time away from screens in the last 30 minutes before settling down to sleep.