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Now that school is out, we’ve been baking, crafting, swimming and eating lots and lots of ice cream! We love summer, despite the desert-like heat we will soon be experiencing and have a ton of fun activities planned for our kids. While we tend to prefer the more laid-back approach to summer (after all, we spend all school year on a tight schedule), we’ll also venture off to “see the world” and have at least one vacation and a few staycations planned.
Our relaxed approach to summer often translates into the same approach to my fitness routine. “It’s too hot” or “I’m too tired” are easy excuses to forego fitness. But you likely know how beneficial exercise is for physical and emotional health. Exercising during the summer is a great way to stay in shape, especially since we’re in the midst of swimsuit season, but when the temperatures rise, so does your body’s core temperature. Blood circulation to the muscles used during exercise decreases and the result is the increased potential for dehydration…and subsequent headaches.
A few months ago, I shared my personal struggle with headaches. Most of the time, they are not sever enough to completely debilitate me, but they are annoying and uncomfortable. I’ve suffered with headaches long enough to know what triggers them…stress, inadequate sleep, caffeine withdrawal, and hormones. But then there are the headaches that come from more situational circumstances such as the intense summer heat we get here in Southern California or exposure to a climate I’m unfamiliar with (have you BEEN to New York during the summer?).
If you suffer from regular or even the occasional headache, you likely stay abreast of the latest tips to avoid them (I know I do!). Fitness expert Kathy Kaehler (who I met a couple years ago at a fitness event here in LA), has some awesome tips for staying cool while exercising in the summer heat!
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Flex Your Fitness Routine! I personally prefer working out in the morning when I’m refreshed (and awake!). I also like the feeling of getting it out of the way so I can enjoy my day. But for those who exercise in the afternoons, the summer heat intensifies as the day goes on. Kaehler recommends exercising in the morning and staying indoors when the humidity is high. Thin, breathable fitness attire will also help keep you cool as your work out.
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Hydrate both inside and out! Water is truly the body’s best defense against dehydration so be sure to drink it before, during and after a workout. Soda or beverages with excessive amounts of caffeine or alcohol can lead to dehydration if they aren’t countered with additional water. I also like Kaehler’s recommendation to apply moisturizer after a work out.
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Keep it cool! The summer heat can be very intense, particularly as the day goes on. Remember to wear sunglasses and a hat if you plan to exercise outdoors and avoid the hot asphalt during the brightest part of the day when the light reflects at you from all angles. Also be sure to take frequent breaks during cooler or shaded areas.
One other tip I would recommend is to listen to your body. While you may easily be able to run 3 miles during the winter, be sure to stop if your body is telling you that it’s overheated before that mark.
By taking a few extra precautions, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of exercise without overexerting yourself. And if you happen to get the occasional summer headache, Excedrin Extra Strength can provide quick relief. The unique acetaminophen/aspirin/caffeine formula is one I find particularly effective.
How do you avoid summer headaches?
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Simply complete the Rafflecopter form and leave a comment with one tip for avoiding summer headaches. Comments will close on July 14th, 2013 at 11:59 PM PST.
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I suggest relaxing
get enough sleep
magnesium and water with lemon.
Sleep well, drink plenty of water and try to avoid hot to cold and vivea versea changes..
drink a LOT of water!!!
stay cool and drink lots of water
Sleep and exercise!
staying hydrated!
Drink lots of water!
Stay cool & lots of water!
a cool rag on the back of your neck while you are out working in the heat
Drinking lots of water usually helps me
Drinking at least 1 gallon of water a day and eating fresh fruits and veggies
Staying hydrated in the heat!
Stay well hydrated and get plenty of rest!
Drink lots of water and try to stay in the shade
Drink plenty of water
Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
drinking water and having my morning coffee
drinking more water so that I stay hydrated
My tip is to wear sunglasses and stay hydrated.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Get rid of the kids for the summer……lol….just kidding! I try to stay in the shade when possible and drink plenty of water.
Drink plenty of water and wear a hat.
When its really hot, drink lots of water.
I take a warm bath
Drink lots of water.
keep cool and drink water 🙂
In order for me to avoid a headache, I need to drink plenty of water and wear sunglasses.
drink plenty of water
Keep yourself hydrated and take a shower in the evening to allow your body to cool down.
wearing a hat
Drink water with cucumber while sitting in a shady spot.
One tip for avoiding summer headaches is stay hydrated.
Make sure you eat! I always get headaches when I eat a meal later than usual.
Keep hydrated! We always have two frozen bottles of water in the freezer, that way we can easily pack a cooler bag, and the frozen water bottles both keep the other bottles cold as well as stays deliciously ice cold at the end of the day.
Staying hydrated helps to avoid a lot of headaches.
I take a hot bath.
Just Chillax and don’t worry about it!
Stay super hydrated !!!
surf the net
One way to avoid summer headaches is to drink plenty of water.
Drink water and stay out of the heat!
drink lots of water
Staying cool in the a/c.
My tip is to drink LOTS of water.
I always wear a hat and drink plenty of water
Drink lots of water
Stay hydrated and make sure to get sleep.
Drinking lots of water helps me avoid headaches
Drink enough water and get enough sleep.
Drink plenty of water.
Stay hydrated!
Drink lots of water
Stay hydrated and try to avoid too much sun.
Stay cool and drink lots of water.
always have water close by and drink all day long
Water! Drinking lots and lots of water.
Definitely drink a lot of water.
Staying hydrated, getting plenty of rest, reducing stress,regular exercise, eating right, and paying attention to your body’s cues that let you know when to take time for yourself can all help reduce summer headaches.
Lots of water
Drink plenty of water.
Stay cool & have lots and lots of water!
Stay out of the sun, take a nice cool shower, and drink lots of water.
Sleep and exercise!
Avoid going back and forth from darkened, cooled areas and bright, hot outdoors. The sudden change in light and temperature can bring on headaches for me.
Drinking lots of water and getting enough sleep in the summer is key!
Stay hydrated and don’t overdo it.
take it show, and don’t overdo
stay inside and drink lots of water
Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of fluids.
Thanks for the chance.
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Staying hydrated, sunglasses
Always hydrate
don’t let your body overheat
Don’t skip any meals!
Drink lots of water, avoid too much sun, and don’t eat cold food too fast! Brain freeze!
I find that staying hydrated is the best way to not get a heat related headache.
Keep yourself well hydrated. Water water water.
Drink plenty of water and get enough protein, always works for me!
Always wear your sunglasses!
drinking plenty of water
spends lots of time in the shade and drink cold drinks.
Keeping yourself hydrated really helps
stay hydrated
Staying cool
Drink enough water everyday!
drink lots of water and stay out of the sun
drink lots of water
I always keep pills handy and drink lots of water.
Drink plenty of water!
Drink water, lots of it.
I always bring my sunglasses with me everywhere- and especially have my shades on while driving. I don’t have extreme light sensitivity but driving in a bright summer sun will leave me with a headache almost for sure.
stay hydrated and don’t get too much sun!
Drinking plenty of water!
I avoid summer headaches by staying hydrated and make sure that I rest
take an ice pack, or anything cold and hold it at the base of your neck (where your head and back meet). My doctor says it will help lower blood pressure.
I drink a lot of water, especially in the summer.
Try to avoid too much sunlight.
Regulate one’s time in the direct sun!
staying cool, and hydrated!
Drink lots of water & stay in the shade!
Drink a lot of water.
Don’t over exert yourself on hot sunny days!
Thanks
Make sure you get enough sleep
My tip for avoiding summer headaches is to stay away from your teenagers
Stay well hydrated .
By keeping the shade and drinking lots of water and staying away from stress
Water is your best friend!
I always wear sunglasses when outside in bright light because that gives me headaches
wear sunglasses outside and drink plenty of water.
I take my multivitamin everyday and I stay hudrated 🙂
i have found staying hydrated helps with headaches
Stay hydrated and as cool as possible.
staying Hydrated & going to bed on time!
Drinking water all day.
Drinking warm lemon water in the morning, eating 4 medium sized meals, and having plenty of fun outside, helps me avoid summer headaches
I drink water all day and try to stay out of the sun.
Hydration is so important! It can go a long way towards preventing headaches.
Staying hydrated and wearing sunglasses in the sun are two ways I beat the summer headaches!
I’d say try to keep cool, and drink lots of water! And don’t stare directly into the sun!
i drink lots of water
Drink less soda and more water.
I try to stay out of the sun when possible. When I do, I wear a hat and SPF
Stay hydrated! We have a gazebo tent over our patio with small fans hooked up in it…this helps a lot!
Take things slow and stay well hydrated
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stay hydrated.. drink plenty of water
Stay hydeated by drinking plenty of liquids
drink lots of water
I think it is important to drink plenty of water and stay out of the direct sun when possible.
Drink water and wear sunglasses. Two hints but necessary nonetheless.
Drink plenty of water!
keep hydrated & don’t get too much sun
I make sure to keep hydrated.
Don’t overwork yourself
Drink lots of water and stay out of the sun
drink plenty of water
Try to keep cool, fans help.
Thanks for the giveaway…wearing sunglasses & keeping hydrated !
Stay hydrated and don’t get too much sun and heat!
drink plenty of water, eat right and try not to get over heated
Stay well hydrated