Stay active, stay safe in summer heat

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How to Stay Active in Warm Weather

Tips for Being Active in Warm Weather: Stay Cool and Hydrated!

Some people are more sensitive to the heat than others—regardless of age. Who needs winter? While the months of February, March, and April might be some of the best times to get outside for a run in cold weather, July and August are often the best months to stay inside and work on your fitness routine. With high humidity, hot temperatures, and uncomfortable heat indexes it can get deadly really quickly. In this post we’ll go over how to stay active when the weather turns warm so you can enjoy all those summertime activities without risking your health.

Can you get heat stroke without being in the sun?

Many people believe that if it is too hot outside then they don’t need to work out indoors because they will sweat enough in their own house or apartment taking care of chores or trying new recipes from Pinterest. But heatstroke, a serious condition that occurs when your body can’t handle the heat and you overheat, doesn’t care how your skin feels. So, if you’re outside for an extended period of time but aren’t sweating, don’t get too comfortable because you could still be in danger without even knowing it. The same goes for physical activity indoors if the temperature isn’t regulated correctly.

What is heatstroke?

Heatstroke is a medical condition that results from your body overheating rapidly while exercise or any kind of physical exertion is ongoing.[i] It’s considered a serious condition and requires immediate attention to reduce the risk of death associated with it.

Is heat stroke life-threatening?

According to the CDC, “Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition. It occurs when a person’s body temperature rises quickly, overshooting the temperature goal of approximately 98.6° F (37° C). Heatstroke can occur in any heat-exposed body part or organ, but it most often affects the brain, heart, and liver.”[ii] According to the same report from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Every year about 2500 people die of heat-related illness; more die from heat than from floods, lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes combined. Many more people survive but are still affected by heat stroke.”[iii]

How do you help someone with heat stroke?

If you suspect someone has heatstroke, call 911 or take them to the emergency room. Stay with them and monitor their symptoms. The person will probably be confused, vomiting, dizzy, weak, hot to the touch with clammy skin.

Who is at risk for heat stroke?

Heatstroke can occur at any age and in many places. Unfortunately, heatstroke happens all too often and is a problem for people of all ages. Three out of every four people who die from a heat illness are over 65 years old.[iv] There’s also no way to tell who will develop heatstroke and who won’t. It could happen to anyone at any time. But some people are more susceptible than others because of specific conditions such as obesity or heart disease.

Want to keep your energy up and your body safe while working out in the heat? Learn here how toExercise Safely in Hot Weather