Summer Fitness as Told by the Chiropractor
By Brandi Goodman
The summer provides plenty of opportunities for fitness. You just need to be a little more careful in the activities you're choosing. Not every option works well for everyone, and many bring some danger you may not realize at the time. With chiropractic advice in mind, you'll be better able to handle the summer fitness options you're engaging in.
Always Stretch Well
You should be stretching before any activities regardless, but it's especially important for summer exercise. You need to be sure your body is stretched out well and able to handle the vigorous activity you're about to do. If it's the start of summer and you've been sedentary up until this point, it's even more necessary to stretch your body out properly and get prepared for the movement you're no longer used to doing.
Do Your Best to Stay Hydrated
The heat can be extremely harsh in the summertime. Do your best to stay hydrated so your body is able to handle the heat and the activities you're doing in it. Without enough water intake, you'll sweat out all you have and get dehydrated quickly. This can lead to some serious health concerns, such as dizziness, nausea, heart palpitations, muscle cramps, and worse. You can use fresh fruits and veggies with high water content to help yourself with hydration.
Choose Early Morning or Evening Hours
The best time to engage in outdoor activities is during the early morning hours or in the late evening. The rest of the day is when the sun is at its harshest and the heat can really drag you down quickly. You'll be able to get in a good workout without overdoing it if you choose these times. If you are out during the day, do your best to find shady spots and make sure you're reapplying your sunscreen often.
Wear Athletic Shoes
Don't think you can exercise well in sandals. You really shouldn't be wearing these flat shoes at all if you can help out. For proper exercise form and to keep aches from plaguing your feet, you should wear athletic shoes at all times. The shock absorption they offer and support you receive will help prevent pain and keep your feet as healthy as possible. Sandals won't do the job. The beach is really the only place for them.
Summer fitness can be fun and enjoyable. You just need to be sure you're keeping these tips in mind so you can engage safely. You don't want to be laid up all summer with an injury or illness because you chose to ignore the very important safety measures at hand.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Tucson, Ariz.