Sun Safety and Fitness

June 6 to June 12 is Sun Safety Week. After a long winter, we all enjoy a day outdoors. The sun has many benefits such as stimulating the production of vitamin D, preventing chronic ailments such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and helping to prevent infections resulting from bacteria, mold and viruses.

With so many benefits, it is important to stay safe in the sun especially if you exercise outdoors. While taking advantage of the sun's rays, take these few precautions while exercising outdoors:

1. Plan your outdoor workout in the early morning or the late afternoon. The sun is the hottest from 10 am to 4 pm.

2. Protect your skin with a sunscreen. Sports sunscreens provide additional water and sweat-proof protection.

3. Replace your strenuous fitness routine with a modified routine.

4. Dress in lightly colored, loose fitting clothing that breathes. This will help prevent overheating.

5. Protect your eyes with a pair of UV sunglasses.

6. Drink plenty of water.

7. If you feel dizzy, dehydrated or nauseated, then STOP! Get out of the sun and hydrate.