Trips in the summer are the best! You go to the sea, where you can swim, tan and enjoy the free time you have. But travelling in the summer is pretty dangerous for your skin because the sun’s Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) has increased recently due to the depletion of the Ozone layer. This index is extremely dangerous if you stay outside for too long in the sun. 

Luckily, you can protect yourself with sunscreen and the right clothes, but you still need to avoid the bad hours for sunbathing (from 10 AM to 4 PM). Before you get out, you can check the UVI forecast: 0 means that it’s perfect to go outside, while eight and above index means avoiding being in the sun. Putting that aside, you still might want to enjoy your summer vacancy, so here’s how to protect yourself from the sun.

 

Organise your trip

When planning your trip in the summer, it’s best to have a good plan regarding where you’re going and what you’ll visit. That means you must know the visiting program of the places you want to see, because some open up in the morning or late in the afternoon, so you can avoid getting out in the middle of the day. Also, consider that you won’t be the only visitor and may wait in long queues to go on an exposition tour or enter a museum. If possible, buy all the tickets needed online to avoid wasting too much time waiting at the said place.

What to pack for maximum protection? 

You know that when the sun is burning, the only thing you want is to sit down in a lovely coffee shop with AC, but that won’t be easy in a crowded place. So, here are some recommendations on what to pack to keep yourself cold and protected from the harmful UV sun rays:

• Sunscreen with the highest SPF (30+ is not enough anymore for protection)
• A hat or a cap and sunglasses designed for UV protection 
• Water in a spray bottle for refreshing purposes 
• Frozen water in a bottle 

Be wary of your surroundings 

Not feeling well from travelling too much might interfere with keeping up with your surroundings. If you’re in a foreign country and not accustomed to the environment, you might be at risk of an accident. Traffic accidents are the most occurring in almost every country regarding the source of the injury. 

Even if you feel tired or worn out from summer travel, that doesn’t mean you’re not eligible to file a compensation claim if someone is causing your injury. Or suppose you experience medical negligence after you’ve been to the hospital, and instead of treatment, you get another physical injury or illness. In that case, it’s best to contact a specialist to proceed with a No Win No Fee injury claim, so you won’t have to pay if your advisor won’t win the case. 

Maybe you’re wondering how much the compensation you deserve for your injury. In that case, you can check in a compensation calculator that will approximate the amount according to the severity of the injury. For example, if you’ve suffered a minor head injury, you could get up to £12,770. But first, you need to prove negligence, so try to gather evidence of the accident and keep all your medical records. 

 

Watch your alimentation 

We know trying all the local drinks and foods may be tempting, but you still need to watch your alimentation. It’s best to consume alcohol and caffeine as little as possible, as it dehydrates the body. Instead, drink plenty of water and natural teas, and as for the food, try to eat more fresh and light meals (salads) so you won’t get sick when travelling. 

Some of the most hydrating foods are cucumber, coconut water and watermelon. On the other hand, try to avoid eating too much meat because your body will consume a lot of energy trying to digest it. Other foods that will overtire your body are lollies, ice cream and slushies. Practise moderation to enjoy your stay fully.

Don’t ignore symptoms 

The worst thing you can do when travelling in hot weather is to ignore the symptoms of heat illness. If you can’t cool down in 30 minutes, you might be at risk of heat stroke, which is a severe health issue. Check for these signs if you suspect you need medical assistance:

• Headache 
• Dizziness 
• Loss of appetite
• Excessive sweating 
• Cramps
• Fast breathing 
• Excessive thirst 
• The temperature of your body is higher or lower than the normal one (38 ° C)

If you’re feeling sick, go to a cool place and drink plenty of water. If necessary, lie down and try to cool down your skin. But if the symptoms worsen (seizures or loss of conscience), you’ll need urgent medical care. These tips also apply if someone has a heat stroke and you need to take care of them until the medical team arrives. 

 

What to wear in the summer?

Even if you see plenty of cute outfits around you, that doesn’t mean they provide the necessary protection from the sun’s rays, which penetrate your skin’s barrier. Prolonged hours in the sun can lead to skin cancer. In the UK, around 147,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year, and the specialists assume that they’ll increase in the future. While the sun’s rays are becoming more dangerous to our skin, we must wear safe clothes with UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) to reduce the exposure risk. 

 

It would be best to look for clothes from dense cloth, like denim, canvas, wool or synthetic fibres. Also, bleached materials and tight clothes should be avoided and try to cover as much skin as possible. The colour doesn’t necessarily matter, as dark or coloured clothes offer better coverage than light shades. To choose the best summer clothing, hold the fabric up to the light; the more sun can get through it, the more risk of sun exposure. 

 

In conclusion, you need to keep yourself as protected as possible to avoid serious medical issues and protect your skin and wellbeing because the sun’s impact will worsen in time.