Tips to Beat the Heat Before it Beats You!

This week has been a beautiful reprieve from tropical heat that dominated weeks past of Minnesota weather. However, State Fair season is just around the corner, and we know some of that weather just might come back.

Here are some tips to keep you prepared. We'll post more tips in the future.

Staying Healthy and Fit in Minne-Sauna?  Yes you can! (….maybe)

 Here are some tips to try:

1. Acclimate. Gradually build up your tolerance for physical activity in warmer weather. Slowly add bits of activity to let your body adjust.
2. Have knowledge of yourself: Listen to your body! Carefully monitor how you feel. Just because someone else is heat adapted doesn’t mean we can do the same thing exactly. Learn how your body adapts and respect limits.
3. Know the signs and symptoms of heat related illness and be cautious. See info, below+.
4. Modify activity level – The hottest day may not be the day to get your most vigorous activity in. Cut the length of activity or intensity for these days. Choose an easy or moderate activity instead especially if you are doing it outside.  Save the most intense and longest activities for better weather or for indoors.
5. Know your fitness level. If you're unfit or new to exercise, be extra cautious when working out in the heat. Your body may have a lower tolerance to the heat. Reduce your exercise intensity and take frequent breaks. This includes gardening and outdoor household projects.
6. Be aware of the dew point, not just temperature and humidity levels. Remember each 10 points the ‘dew point’ goes up, the amount of moisture in the air doubles. The more moisture in the air, the less effective our bodies natural cooling system, sweating may become. The same amount of sweating we ‘normally do’ during exercise has a reduced effect as the dew point goes up. Our bodies then sweat even more. <more on hydration in future posting>.

+ Links regarding heat related illnesses - see  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heat-stroke/DS01025/DSECTION=risk-factors

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heat-exhaustion/DS01046/DSECTION=risk-factors

More tips next week! Stay positive, active, be prudent and have fun!