Hooray, summer is on its way! For some, summer signals hiking and camping, allowing them to discover new places and appreciate great views. For others, summer is all about holidays and the beach! Still, one of the fabulous things about summer is that it can make staying at home feel like a vacation; lounging in your backyard hammock with an iced tea to drink next to a loved one – bliss!
Whether alone with your family or with your besties in tow, staying by the beach is the perfect getaway to beat the heat. Virginia Beach, located in the heart of Southern Virginia, is not only perfect for sunbathing and swimming, but also offers up a host of vibrant boardwalk attractions and local seafood cuisine that are sure to enhance your beach vacation experience; it’s a fantastic spot to enjoy both the water and a rich cultural scene.
While we love going to the beach in our droves, we must remember to take care of ourselves and take some precautionary measures to avoid exhaustion and dehydration. Here are some tips for you to help beat the heat this summer:
Drink Plenty of Water
Dehydration occurs when your body loses fluid and it isn’t sufficiently replenished. Since it is very hot during summer, you sweat a lot – even more so when engaging in a lot of physical activities. This is the very reason why we need to keep our body hydrated – all year round, and even more crucially during the warmer months.
It’s essential to monitor your fluid intake. According to the U.S. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the average man needs 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluid per day, while women need around 11.5 cups (2.7 liters).
Another advantage of keeping yourself hydrated during beach trips is that it will keep your skin moisturized and healthy – a handy advantage given the inevitable increase in sun exposure. Glowing skin is a byproduct of a hydrated body; just make sure that you take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from the sun’s rays, especially if you plan on sunbathing.
Additionally, remember that, despite you feeling cooler in the water, water-based activities can still cause you to feel exhausted and dehydrated. Drinking plenty of water will help to keep you feeling energized and will fuel you to do more and enjoy the rest of the day. The idea is that you’ll be busy having fun and feeling full of energy all day – just remember that monitoring your fluid intake is very important.
Eat Refreshing Fruits
Aside from drinking a lot of water, eating refreshing fruits will add fluids to your body. Examples of some water-rich options include watermelon, papaya, chico, pineapple, melon, ripe mangoes, apples and oranges. These fruits have a lot of fluids that will help you replenish the lost ones, as well as help to boost your immune system to keep you happy and healthy while you enjoy your vacation.
While there are foods that you can eat to assist in good hydration, there are also foods that should be avoided because they will contribute to dehydration. These are salty and sweet food and drinks; these consumables, such as heavily salted snacks and sodas will always make you feel thirsty in the end, no matter how refreshing they may seem at the time.
Another thing you should consider doing is lessening your alcohol intake. Too many night outs partying will inevitably lead to the consumption of more alcohol, leading to precious vacation hours being lost in headaches and hangovers; drinking alcohol isn’t a bad thing in moderation, just be sure to balance it all out with plenty of healthier choices.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleeping is often underrated during vacation time, and for good reason; everyone wants to get outside and hit the beach! Adventures all day and parties all night. It’s natural to want to ‘burn the candle at both ends’ while on vacation, but, if you don’t get enough sleep you will suffer.
Ideally, plan out every activity based on the days of your vacation; you can allocate more time for activities you want to do the most, and less time for others. This way, you make the most of your vacation with optimal energy for what matters most, without compromising on your much-needed sleep.
Wear Comfortable Clothes
Picking out summer beach outfits is half the fun! The ultraviolet rays from the sun aren’t healthy in excess, and they certainly affect how hot it feels. Light-colored clothing reflects much of the brightness away from the body, which in turn results in less heat being absorbed. White-coloured clothes made with a cotton fabric are a popular choice; aside from making you feel more comfortable, it will help you to beat the heat.
Seek Out Some Shade and Breeze
Getting out in the sunshine is great for our health and wellbeing – to a point. When the sun is blazing, however, balance is key, so be sure to mix your time in the sun up with some down time in the cool shade. The breezes off the Atlantic at Virginia Beach provide a natural coolant, making it a perfect escape from the summer heat. Southern Virginia’s weather is ideal for anyone looking to enjoy long beach days without the overwhelming temperatures found in other parts of the country.
Don’t Forget Your Sunscreen
Nothing says ‘I just went on a fab beach trip’ like a golden, glowing tan, and for many people, catching a tan is a desirable summer goal. Still, it’s also vital that we protect our skin from overexposure to the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays. For this reason, sunscreen is always a must-have, especially on a beach trip. How often should you apply sunscreen? Ideally, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, particularly after swimming or sweating. Remember, sun-kissed skin is one thing, sunburn is another; allowing your skin to burn is quite literally volunteering to damage your body – it just doesn’t make sense.
What’s a Beach Day Without a Dip in the Ocean?
Once all of the above has been covered, there’s only one thing left to do – take a refreshing dip in the ocean; it’s a cool, refreshing environment that will help you to beat the heat in a flash. If you’re adventurous, schedule in a variety of water activities to keep you cool as you enjoy the beautiful blue ocean.
Whether you’re into kayaking, paddle boarding, or exploring the lesser-known tranquil water trails, Southern Virginia’s coastline offers a diverse range of activities. Virginia Beach, in particular, is renowned for its surfing lessons and dolphin-watching tours, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a little adventure alongside relaxation.
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