When we’re not supplying KwaZulu-Natal with world-class medical equipment, we’re assisting all South Africans to live their best lives and remain in peak condition.
So, seeing as it’s December and we’re neck-deep in another scorching South African summer, we thought we’d share some advice on how to stay healthy during the holidays.
Planning a holiday at the beach? You’ll want to read the points below…
Drink Water
We all know what thirst feels like, but what only medical professionals know is exactly how dehydration can damage your body.
So, with the summer weather here in full force, our first and probably most important tip for staying healthy during the holidays is to drink enough water.
How much water one should drink per day has long been a point of contention, with some suggesting four litres of water a day, and others coming in at only two litres of water per day.
As a rule of thumb, ensure you drink a regular glass of water at least once every three hours – and if you’re planning a full day at the beach, consider taking a two-litre bottle of water with you.
Trust us, your body will thank you for it…
Wear Sunscreen
This one’s a no-brainer, but you’d be amazed at how many people simply refuse – or forget – to put sunscreen on while cavorting under the scorching ball of fire known as our solar system’s sun.
When unprotected from deadly UV rays, our bodies literally cook slowly – and negative outcomes of a day in the summer sun without sunscreen include heatstroke, severe skin burns, nausea and dehydration.
If you don’t want to look like a lobster all holiday long, and you’d prefer your skin cancer-free, consider lathering an SPF20 or above whenever outdoors these holidays.
Don’t Overindulge
Stay healthy during the holidays by keeping tabs on your eating habits.
The festive season is synonymous with overeating, as we throw caution to the wind and chew down on pretty much anything we feel like.
This can cause nausea due to your system not being used to the foods, as well as unexpected weight gain that could leave you down in the dumps come January.
Stick to eating about as much as you normally would on any other day, and your body (and your waistline) will thank you for it!
Wear Shoes
Like blisters on the soles of your feet?
Didn’t think so. Neither do we!
Walking around barefoot is something most of us do throughout summer, and we only realise just how painful this can be when we step onto concrete or beach sand that has been baked by the midday sun.
Taking to hot sand without shoes can cause serious pain in your feet, and possibly lead to an abrupt end to your fun day in the sun, so consider wearing a pair of sandals or slip-slops when hitting the beach this summer!
