September means the dog days of summer are lingering here in Southwest Florida. Humidity has dropped a little but days are still warm and a little dewy. The great outdoors is calling a little louder and when spending time soaking up the sun, I exercise these tips to keep cool during these dog days.
Have Water Bottle. Will Travel.
Whether heading to the beach, hiking or spending the afternoon at an outdoor festival, keeping hydrated is important. To save a buck or two, I carry a filled water bottle and keep a few extras chilled in a cooler in the car. If I see a water fountain, I’ll keep my bottle filled.
Stick to H20.
Sure, soda is refreshing but it’s not meant to rehydrate your body. Stick to water or something with an electrolyte if engaged in a strenuous activity. A cousin hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon one summer and he didn’t make it out that same night. He drank so much water that he flushed out all the sodium from his body. He had to spend the night at the medical clinic and pumped with fluids so he could make the trip out the next day. (Yes, it was ambitious of him to attempt the hike in one day!)
What’s Your Number? Your SPF Number?
Sunscreen is essential! It doesn’t matter if I’m out in the morning or midday, when outside enjoying Florida’s sunshine, sunscreen has me covered. It’s best to apply it right out of the shower and reapply throughout the day. And don’t forget the ears, back of neck and tops of feet!
Sunburns are uncomfortable and can liner for days. Plus, by lathering on the SPF, I’m minimizing my chances for skin cancer. Don’t let cloudy days fool ya! You could still end up with sunburn.
Rock It!
You can still be fashionable with a hat covering ears, neck and nose.
Ahh….
At the end of the day, I slather on aloe to cool my skin, especially any spots sunscreen may have missed!
Cottonelle Fresh Moist Wipes Would Have Been Handy When…
Having had to car camp one night this summer (for the final space shuttle launch), I learned a wet cloth was essential to keeping refreshed. I’ve recently been introduced to Cottonelle Fresh Moist Wipes and having a pack of those back in July would have been very handy in keeping me feel human, especially since I couldn’t shower and felt like a walking slime ball.
My Future’s So Bright…
Sunglasses are a must during outdoor adventures and I prefer polarized lenses. Not only are my eyes protected from harmful UV rays but polarized lenses provide me with a crisper view. Plus, it helps spot things in the water, like fish and shells.
Oops! Don’t Overdo It!
If it’s a scorching day, I pace myself. The best thing for me is to engage in outdoor activities either in the morning before noon or after 5 p.m. to avoid the mid-day heat. But, if I need to be outdoors in midday, I do my best to find some shelter from the sun and heat, whether it’s a picnic pavilion, palm tree or better yet, an air conditioned building. It may be tempting to stay outdoors for the whole day, but it will do more harm than good. Once you get back home, turn on the air conditioning to keep you cool. If you do not have one as of yet, you may want to look into something like air conditiioners reviewed at ProductExpert to compare the best air condition systems that you can potentially have installed in your home. Be sure to stay hydrated and cool during these hotter conditions.
Splash!
Of course, if it’s beach time, there’s nothing more refreshing than dipping in the Gulf of Mexico.
Do you have tips for keeping cool during these dog days of summer?
Disclosure: I’m a Cottonelle’s Brand Fan and recently received product and a promotional item as a thank you for my participation. I also shared some coupons with friends so they could experience the fresh feeling of Cottonelle Fresh Moist Wipes. This post is an entry in Cottonelle’s Dog Days of Summer blogging contest.
