Keeping cool (in Summer)

*This piece was originally written for The Summerset Scene magazine - Summer 2020

This summer there’s going to be a hot ticket item that none of us will be leaving home without – a mask. While we all know the drill around mask wearing by now, it’s important to note how they can impact on what our body needs, especially as the weather gets warmer.

HOT TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR

WELLNESS

Personally, I’ve found wearing a mask while coaching people at the gym to be quite inconvenient, but I certainly feel lucky that I can still do what I love.

Here are some key pointers for exercising this summer.

INCREASE YOUR WATER INTAKE

Regular mask wearing has been linked to faster fatigue and the need for more water. Unfortunately, common signs of dehydration can be hard to spot, so protective measures are key. Brain fog, forgetfulness, inability to concentrate and even hunger can be signs of dehydration in disguise. Now if you’re reading this article having a chuckle that you’re forgetful at the best of times, I get it – even though I’m 31 there’s lots going on and plenty to forget!

TAKE REGULAR MASK-FREE BREAKS WHEN IT’S SAFE TO DO SO

This may not even mean taking your mask off completely. It may mean pulling it away from

your face to take some deep breaths and exhale any “stale” air in order to breathe in more fresh oxygen.

EXERCISE IN THE MORNING

Summer afternoons have siesta written all over them. If you’re going to do some decent exercise or work in the garden, get it done in the morning after you have drunk some water and had a good meal. We know the sun hits its highest point at midday and none of us want to get caught out on the tail end of a workout when the summer sun is at its most fierce.

Our body’s 24/7 mission is to keep us in a state of harmony and balance. This is called homeostasis. Any extra work it has to do to keep us here means it can’t put all of its resources towards what it is that you want to do. So keep hydration in mind before you get stuck into a hike, gardening, tennis or even swimming (you’re in water but you still need to drink some!).

Wishing you an active, adventurous and acclimatised summer!

*This article was originally written for Summerset's Scene magazine Summer 2021