Self Care Tip: Walking When the Heat is On
- Posted On:
- Written By: Brittany Garcia
For most, walking is an easy form of exercise. You can walk indoors or outdoors, with friends or alone. But when temperatures rise, be sure to practice sun safety while outside.
Safety First
Use sunscreen on any exposed areas of skin.
Avoid walking outside between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
Wear protective eye wear to reduce the risk of cataracts and avoid damage to the delicate skin around the eyes.
Consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat to help cover your face.
Wear light colored, reflective clothing so oncoming cars can see you
Bring a bottle of water and be sure to drink plenty of fluids before and after your walk.
Summer footwear is fun and cute, but opt for supportive sneakers for your walk.
Get Creative
When it’s over 100 degrees and you can’t get close enough to the air conditioning vent, it’s hard to summon the motivation to go outside for a walk. Here are a few ways you can change up your routine to keep things cooler:
Take a sunrise stroll. The start of the day is the coolest part of the day. Try setting your alarm a bit early to take advantage of cooler temperatures.
Nighttime hike. Not a morning person? Grab a friend or a pup and enjoy the twilight hour.
Walk on water. Or at least in water. If you have access to a pool or even a lake or river, walking through water keeps you cool and has a lower impact on your joints.
Keep it indoors. Whether on a treadmill or taking laps around the coffee table, indoor walking counts just as many steps as outdoor walking.
Zig zag your shopping. It’s much more efficient to start at one end of the grocery store and work your way across. But if you have the time, shop the aisles in a zig zag pattern to maximize your steps.
Lengthen your short walks. Park at the furthest end of the parking lot. Bring your groceries in from the car one bag at a time. Look for ways to add steps throughout your day and see how they add up!
Regardless of what you do, make sure you make movement a part of your self care routine.