How to Have a Healthy and Happy Memorial Day

By Sara Butler

Memorial Day weekend will be here before you know it and you know what that means -- you should take some time to remember those in the military who gave their lives to protect our freedoms. A weekend without a moment of reverence and remembrance is, truly, a wasted opportunity for those of us who love America.

But Memorial Day also means summer will officially be here. It’s time to make the most of this holiday by enjoying the weather and getting together with family and friends -- with a few important precautions thrown in, of course.

It’s not simply the buffet you should be concerned with if you want to stay healthy. The reality is that there are several little things that, if avoided, could make the weekend -- and summer days afterward -- memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Here are a few tips you can put to good use this year to kick off your summer safely.

Grab the Sunscreen

You’ve been inside most of the winter and now you’re ready to let the sunshine in and the Vitamin D synthesis begin! Nothing wrong with that, but forgetting the sunscreen will turn your fun weekend into one you want to forget because you’ve gotten so sunburned.

Too much exposure to the sun can damage your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer, so make sure to wear protective hats and shirts, sunglasses, and a proper SPF between 15 and 50. Remember, UV will be at its worst between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so it’s crucial to protect your skin during that time.

Remember Water Safety

Getting out on the water is a popular activity for Memorial Day, but make sure to remember your water safety rules since it’s likely been a while since you took a dip.

You should always supervise children when swimming so there’s always a set of eyes on them. Make sure older kids and adults use the buddy system. If you’re going to be on a boat, life jackets are a must, and if you’re not a proficient swimmer, then you need to make sure a life jacket is used. Around water, don’t take any chances; your mistakes can be unforgiving.

Keep Your Smorgasbord Secure

Everyone loves to get together to enjoy some food over a holiday weekend. You probably want people to remember your spread for how good it was and not how sick it made them, which is why It’s vital to remember some food safety basics.

Of course, you always want to remember to keep the raw meat for the grill separate from the items that are ready to eat. Any type of food that is perishable needs to be kept refrigerated until it’s ready to cook. Clean plates and tongs should be used for each dish.

Most importantly, you should never let food sit out for more than two hours when it’s hot outside. If the temperature tops 90 degrees, then that window shrinks down to an hour.

Don’t Bug Out

While the nice weather brings with it a promise of more sun and fun, it also brings pests back to life -- especially mosquitos. If you’re going to have a backyard barbeque, take measures to limit the mosquitoes that can prey on you and your guests.

Aside from using approved repellant, make sure there is no standing water in your yard. Flip over toys and anything that can collect even a small amount of water, since those little buggers can make use of any amount of standing water to set up a love shack. You may also want to avoid being outside during dusk since that’s when insects like mosquitoes are most active.

From all of us here at The Joint Chiropractic, we hope you start summer off right with an excellent Memorial Day. And if you want to make the most of it, get your chiropractic adjustment beforehand so you can go into the weekend in optimal form!

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