Wellness Wednesday: It’s so darned hot!

It’s a heatwave! Heatwaves routinely cause a massive divide in the British population. Some people embrace the very hot weather, which we get so rarely in the UK, and set out to spend as much time outside as possible. Others just feel so overwhelmed by the heat that they shun the outdoors, plug in the fans or the aircon and stay put!

Whichever camp you fall into, there are numerous health concerns to keep in mind about this sultry weather.

Firstly, stay sun safe. I addressed this in an earlier blog:

Slip On a Shirt
Seek Out Shade
Slap On Sunscreen

This is the advice of the British Association of Dermatologists. Additional advice on sun skin protection can be found on the NHS website.

But staying safe in the sun involves more than skin protection. Heat stroke or heat exhaustion is something that can affect people when they get too hot. The elderly and very young can be particularly vulnerable. Symptoms can include headache, dizziness, excessive sweating, feeling thirsty and developing pale, clammy skin. If treated within 30 minutes, heat exhaustion is not a serious problem. Check out the links below for more information on this condition. The Contour Holidays YouTube video shows how to treat heat exhaustion.

The news has been full of stories on how busy the British seaside and beaches have been since the Covid 19 restrictions have been lifted. It is very important that social distancing rules are maintained while people are at the beach and enjoying themselves. Also, holiday makers need to be aware of safety while enjoying all water activities. There have been many reports from the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) concerning the increase in call outs over the last 10 days to assist those in difficulties. The link to their website below will show the scale of this.

It’s not only the coast that is seeing a rise in popularity. Trips into the countryside, walking/hiking or cycling are also popular. Even short walks need a level of planning and if you are considering a longer jaunt then consider following the advice in the ‘Hiking in Summer Tips’ by Contour Holidays. Taking care not to develop dehydration is a major way to stay healthy when out and about enjoying the hot weather.

Finally, food safety is also essential during the heat. Cases of food poisoning double in the summer. Picnics and BBQs are all high-risk food activities where you need to take extra care with food preparation, cooking and storage. Hand hygiene is a basic and we’re all experts on that since the Covid 19 crisis has raised our awareness; there’s no excuse for not observing that when preparing a summer meal. Other good habits include keeping food covered and chilled were possible. The articles and videos below give more information.

The heat of the summer sun is so unusual in the UK that we are not routinely prepared to deal with the challenges it brings to our everyday life and leisure time. It is possible to keep safe while enjoying ourselves and very important that we do so.

British Association of Dermatologists’ SOS Poster

British Association of Dermatologists’ Sun Awareness website

NHS Sunscreen and Sun Safety website

‘Have Fun in the Sun, But Be Sun Smart – Skin Cancer Prevention PSA’: Mayo Clinic: YouTube video

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke: NHS website

‘What is heatstroke, what are the symptoms and how can it be treated?’: by Sabrina Barr on The Independent website

‘How to keep safe at the beach amid COVID-19’: Buzz 60 on MSN News

‘Beach Safety Tips’: BBC website

‘How To Stay Safe On The Beach’: BBC website

‘Latest Lifeboat Launches’: RNLI website

‘Hiking in Summer Tips – Summer Heat Advice – Hiking Activity – How to Stay Safe in Hot Weather’: Contour Holidays on YouTube

‘Here’s How Fast Your Picnic Food Goes Bad in the Heat’: by Beth Skwarecki on LifeHacker website