We’re well into the summer, and that means the sun has been beating down on us, giving us the highest temperatures we’ll see all year. Athletes participating in summer day camps have gotten daily hours of intense sun exposure. This means good sports weather in general, but it also means sunburns and even more physically taxing hockey practices. While this is doing you wonders for your body by helping produce vitamin D, it is important to keep in mind prudent sun exposure practices. The following are a few things to start (or keep) doing in these blazing summer months.
Put on Appropriate and Ample Amounts of Sunscreen
If you do not already know, find out what level of sun protection your skin needs. Keep sunscreen on at practice and during games, as field hockey jerseys may expose large areas of your arms. Sunburns are uncomfortable and not healthy for your skin, so you’ll want to minimize the damage the sun can do to your body by applying appropriate amounts of the right level of sunscreen.
Doing so will still give you the vital sun exposure your body needs to produce Vitamin D, and reduce the level of burn your skin gets from the prolonged outside activity. If you do not know what sort of sunscreen your body needs, you may want to consult a dermatologist. Some athletes’ skin requires more protection than others, and applying sunscreen too weak for your skin is not optimal and will still result in burns.
Make sure to update your sunscreen periodically during practice, and enjoy the fun in the sun.
During Rest, Make Sure to Cover Up
You’ll get some rest periods during practice at summer day camps. Make sure you don’t spend these practices with the back of your neck exposed to sun rays. The most intense burns can happen when the sun is concentrated on one area of your body. This has the biggest chance to happen when you’re taking a load off during practice or a game, and sitting still in one place.
The best way to combat these especially intense burns, other than sunscreen mentioned previously, is to keep your body covered during practice. Make sure to sit underneath a tent or another shadowed area. Wrap your head in a cold, wet towel, which will have the dual benefit of feeling really good and cooling you off after strenuous practice.
Healthy resting habits are an important part of being a good athlete. Even so, the added summer element of the blazing sun is something to consider during rest. Your muscles may be able to rest, but areas of your skin will have the sun constantly bearing down on them during rest periods. Make sure to counteract this with a towel or other covering.
Stay Hydrated!
This is perhaps the most important tip of all. The increased heat and sun exposure of the summer will make you sweat far more than the cooler autumn or winter seasons. It is, therefore, of utmost importance that you keep yourself well-hydrated during a hard day’s practice or a game. Summer day camps will provide you with numerous beverages and hydration options, so you’ll never be at a loss.
Luckily, this tip is fairly second-nature to athletes, so you won’t find it difficult to do. However, it is important that you increase your water intake accordingly so that you can compensate for the increased amount of sweat you’ll be producing. Make sure, also, that water is your beverage of choice. While an ice-cold Gatorade can really hit the spot, water itself remains the most refreshing and hydrating thing you can put in your body. If you’re looking for a more exciting option, make sure you stick to all natural juices without added sugar, as these may have even more nutrients for your body to enjoy.
Staying hydrated isn’t limited only to liquids. Certain foods are wise to eat during summer, such as fruits and vegetables. These foods often have high water content and are easy for your body to digest. Salads with natural, seasonal produce are also a good and healthy option, as they too will be high in water content.
In Summary: Keep Covered and Drink That Water.
While the sun may be trying to do its best to make your practices as rough as possible, your body is actually benefitting from the sun exposure. Just be sure to make your body enjoy only the positive benefits while foregoing the negative aspects, including burns and dehydration. The ways to do this are, in the end, relatively simple. Never forget your sunscreen, don’t rest directly in sun rays, and always, always, always keep hydrated.
We’re well into the summer, and that means the sun has been beating down on us, giving us the highest temperatures we’ll see all year. Athletes participating in summer day camps have gotten daily hours of intense sun exposure. This means good sports weather in general, but it also means sunburns and even more physically taxing hockey practices. While this is doing you wonders for your body by helping produce vitamin D, it is important to keep in mind prudent sun exposure practices. The following are a few things to start (or keep) doing in these blazing summer months.