This summer, be the woman you want to be all winter….
Show off your body boogie-boarding at the beach, whether it’s “beach ready” or not! Go to Six Flags and whip your hair back and forth, intentionally or unintentionally, on their roller coasters. Learn how to skateboard from your cute neighbor or take your kids to the pool, or the ocean, or the lake, or a sprinkler. Just remember, protecting your physical health protects your mental health – make the summer an exciting enjoyable time.
Here are a few tips to staying safe, while having a blast:
1. Get your eyes some bling…and shade.
Wearing sunglasses is extremely important in the summer. UV rays can harm your eyes and sight in the long run. The added strain of squinting can cause headaches and if you’re squinting too long, maybe even temporary wrinkles!
Use this as an excuse to buy those shades you’ve been eyeing for the past few months. Or go to Michaels, buy some rhinestones, bedazzle a five dollar pair, and pay homage to Lady Gaga.
2. Wear sunscreen!
Tanning sounds like fun, and we dream of the sun during the long winter months, but getting a tan (whether its from the sun or a tanning booth) is not good for your skin.
We don’t want you looking like a leather handbag later on…or a lobster now! Even Snooki has traded her orange peel(ing) skin for a natural tone.
And, because we at Maxim believe in organic products and their extensive benefits, consider using an alternative sunscreen with no chemicals – they are equally as effective and also great for kids! You can also consider using makeup products, like foundation or concealer, with SPF.
3. Keep hydrated…with water!
It’s extremely important to replenish your body’s water content. If you’re out in the sun, playing sports, or even in the ocean and not sweating– your body is losing water. Symptoms of dehydration are often considered unimportant but should be paid attention to.
If you’re attending a darty and drinking alcohol, this is especially important. Think about using drinks filled with electrolytes as mixers, chasers, or substitutes. Gatorade is a great example.
4. Integrate safety into your “style.”
However you choose to protect yourself, there is a way to do it fashionably.
Remember those hand-held fans that were attached to spray bottles. They hung around our necks from scrawny lanyards and produced a semi-cool mist? Maybe you had a sleeker one?
Or those umbrella hats with rainbow panels, which protected our faces from sun or rain? But, definitely not wind. (Yes, I was a child of the 90s).
Or trucker hats. Or sombreros. Or bug-spray belt apparatuses. The point is, don’t be afraid to alter your outfits to enhance your coverage. Even a simple gesture like wearing your hair down can protect your shoulders from getting burned.
5. If you’re traveling internationally…keep essentials in multiple places.
Keep a copy of your passport in your suitcase. If your handbag gets stolen, you’ll have an easier time getting it replaced. Think about also making a copy of your health insurance card. You may also want to keep a spare credit card or cash in an innocuous place.
Make and take at least two baggies of your medicines, organic tampons, and vitamins. If one gets lost, you’ll always have the essentials. I carry mine in ziplocks – you never know when something may leak. Other essential things you may want to carry – a lock and key, extra chargers for your camera or phone, adapters/transformers. Maybe even chocolate.
Keeping yourself healthy in the heat and sun will keep your energy high and make you feel better. People often feel lazy or fatigued in the summer, but we at Maxim want to make sure you take full advantage of the beautiful weather and the opportunities it presents.