How To Practice Sun Safety Being in the sunshine offers a number of benefits, including boosting Vitamin D levels, improving your mood, and helping you to be more active. At the same time, it is important to remember that spending too much time in the sun can cause health issues. It is important to enjoy the sun safely to protect your wellbeing in the long term. Here are some tips on how to practice sun safety. Wear Sunscreen One of the most important things when going out in the sun is to use a good sunscreen with a high SPF. Reapply this regularly - especially if you are going into the water. As a rule, children should have the highest SPF to protect their skin, while adults may be safe with a lower number - it all depends on your skin. Always make sure you carry sunscreen with you when out and about in the sun, and don’t forget to reapply it regularly. Cover Your Head Keeping your head protected from the sun is also important, as this is often the area that is most exposed to the sun. Opt for a lightweight sun hat or cap to protect your scalp - burns here can be extremely painful. For younger children and babies, consider a hat with a neck cover attached, to offer an extra layer of protection. Don’t Forget To Cover Up When the temperature rises, there can be a temptation to remove clothes in an attempt to stay cool. This can also increase your risk of sun damage. Cool, light fabrics are effective at keeping you cool, as they allow the skin to breathe - consider light cotton and linen shirts. Wearing something to cover your skin also means you are lowering your risk of burning, as you are not directly exposing your skin to the sun. Protect Your Eyes As well as protecting your skin and head, you should also invest in quality sunglasses to protect your eyes. This reduces the impact of the bright sun, and can protect you from the UV rays which can cause harm. Always check to make sure that your shades have a proper UVA/UVB filter - some sunglasses do not offer this protection. Stay Hydrated One of the most important things to remember when you are trying to stay safe in the sun is to drink plenty of water, and keep your fluids up. When we are hot, we sweat more, and this means that more fluids are lost, increasing the risk of dehydration - fluids need to be replaced throughout the day. Invest in a water bottle - this will encourage you to keep sipping, and help you keep track of how much water you have had. Final Thoughts Enjoying the sun is always a treat, but remembering to stay safe and take simple precautions will help you to have a safe, healthy, and enjoyable experience.