Jess' End-of-Summer Tips

End of Summer Self-Care Tips

As Southerners know, the sun doesn't fade away in September and temperatures can continue to hover in the 80’s and 90’s through the month.  Jessica Hill, LMT, offers these great tips for staying cool and protecting yourself from the sun and the heat as we transition to Fall.

#1-Avoid over-exposure to the sun!!! Exposure to the sun causes pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions (caused by loss of the skin's immune function), benign tumors, fine and coarse wrinkles, freckles, discolored areas of the skin, called mottled pigmentation, Telangiectasias (the dilation of small blood vessels under the skin), and Elastosis -- the destruction of the elastic and collagen tissue (causing lines and wrinkles).

Wear sun protection! A little tip: try our number one best seller: Intellishade with spf 45 by Revision. We also have a variety of other sunscreens to keep your skin safe and beautiful. Also, dress in light-weight protective clothing that won't make you hot but will protect your skin on these hot summer days.

#2-Hydrate-Dehydration is one of those things that will sneak up on you in a heartbeat. When you start to feel thirsty, it means you are already mildly dehydrated. When it's hot and humid, your risk of dehydration and heat illness increases. This can lead to an increased body temperature and the need for more fluids.

Dehydration is one of the most common causes of headaches, and can also cause a variety of other symptoms, including: dry, sticky mouth, fatigue, dry skin, headache, dizziness or lightheadedness, constipation, and decreased urine output. Chronic dehydration can lead to any number of illnesses and can contribute to premature aging as well as muscle pain and tension.

Tip: The symptoms above can be reduced by replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes. Drinking too much, too quickly can make you feel even more sick, so sip small amounts slowly. Carry a reusable insulated water bottle with you every day to maintain proper hydration.

#3-Stay active, beat the heat! Is the heat causing you to hide out in your living room in the cool air? That's ok! Find a 5-10 minute exercise or yoga video online and follow along from your living room. It's so easy and just a little bit goes such a long way in improving your energy and stamina. Check out this study from Cornell University on the benefits of exercising just 5 minutes a day. http://www.news.cornell.edu/Chronicle/96/11.14.96/fitness.html

#4-Get regular massages!!!
According to www.amtamassage.org : "A growing body of research confirms the efficacy of massage for a variety of illnesses and ailments. Massage has been shown to reduce blood pressure and heart rate; increase cytotoxic capacity (activity level of the body’s natural "killer cells"); enhance weight gain in pre-term infants; increase lymph flow and reduce edema; relieve and reduce certain types of back pain; and, reduce anxiety and relieve stress." Check out more info here:

http://www.amtamassage.org/infocenter/research_scientific-and-medical-research.html