Tips to Survive Music Festival Season
By Kate Gardner
Summer is in full swing and, if you're like millions of other Americans, you have plans to head to a music festival. Music festivals can be exciting, immersive events. You get to see all your favorite bands, hang out with friends, and escape the real world for a few days. When you're so focused on having fun, it can be easy to lose sight of some of the risks that go hand-in-hand with these festivals. According to MFEInsurance.com, festival injuries are not uncommon and include heat-related injuries, dehydration, broken bones, and drinking too much.
Heat Injuries
Music festivals often host thousands of people in outdoor venues during the hottest time of the year. It's not surprising that these factors add up to a lot of heat-related injuries. You can fight the heat with a few simple steps.
- Dress in light-colored, breathable clothes
- Stay hydrated
- Find the shade
Dehydration
Dancing, drinking, and heat can quickly lead to dehydration. Check your festival beforehand to see if you can bring in a reusable water bottle (and if they have water stations to fill up). If they don't allow it, make sure to budget a steady supply of bottled water. If you're drinking alcohol, make sure you have one bottle of water for every drink to keep from becoming dehydrated. Keep an eye out for early signs of dehydration, like dry mouth and increased thirst.
Broken Bones
Back in my day, mosh pits were huge. Hundreds of people, flinging themselves around violently, pretty much guaranteed there would be injuries. We may have traded out moshing for dancing, but there's still a lot of potential for broken bones. The best thing you can do to keep your bones intact is to wear the right footwear and clothing for the festival. Also, don't dance next to the guy who is clearly drunk.
Alcohol
It would be nice to think we're all too mature to drink excessively at music festivals, but that just isn't true. After all, this is a chance to relax and have fun! But responsible drinking is the cornerstone of a safe music festival experience. Too much alcohol can lead to alcohol poisoning, dehydration, and make other injuries more likely. None of these things will make your music festival experience more enjoyable.
Whether your heading to SXSW or to your local bluegrass festival, follow these tips to stay safe. Have a great time!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Azusa, Calif.