4 Keys to Exercising Safely During Florida’s Summer
With our sunny Bradenton, Florida summers comes storm season. Increased likelihood of wind and rain doesn’t necessarily preclude all possibility of enjoying outdoor exercise; it just means that we have to exercise some extra precaution that doesn’t usually come up as much during cooler, dryer times of year. Let’s go over several points to take into consideration when planning to exercise outside during the summer.
#1 Storm Safety
According to the National Weather Service, lightning can reach temperatures of 50,000 degrees fahrenheit–that’s hotter than the surface of the sun and not something to be taken lightly. Florida has one of the highest rates of lightning strikes in the United States, so remember to check the weather forecast before departing for a healthy outing. If you are already outside and see lightning, utilize the 30-30 rule: Start counting to 30. If you hear thunder before reaching 30, go indoors. Don’t engage in any more outdoor activity until at least 30 minutes have elapsed since the last thunder clap. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, “When thunder roars, go indoors.”
#2 Don’t slip!
Post rain shower, the ground will still be wet and may be slippery. Ensure good traction by wearing properly fitting athletic shoes that still have sufficient tread to decrease likelihood of taking a fall. Avoid muddy or uneven ground and wear sunglasses. The sun tends to come out quickly after the rain here in Bradenton!
#3 Heat-Related Illness Avoidance
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can happen when your body can’t cool itself appropriately. Increased moisture in the air slows the process of sweating, which is the body’s main method of cooling itself. Humidity also makes it feel much hotter than the temperature actually is, so it’s a good idea to take note of the heat index in addition to the temperature when checking the weather. The heat index takes humidity into account with the temperature to report what it will actually feel like. This is important because prolonged exposure to high temperatures increases your risk of heat-related illness. Make sure to drink plenty of water and to wear clothing that allows sweat to evaporate easily, thus cooling your body. If wearing a mask is your preference or local regulations require their use, be sure to consider its effect on your breathing and heat retention while engaging in physical activity in warm, humid conditions. Some masks are more breathable than others, so choose wisely according to what you’ll be doing.
#4 Choose Safe Outdoor Training Exercises
Don’t over do it! If you haven’t been exercising outside much, be sure to start off slow and safe. The easiest way to get started moving outside in a safe and healthy way is by walking. Whether a stroll around your neighborhood, or drive to a scenic venue, Manatee County has a plethora of beach, park, and nature preserve trails to enjoy. If you prefer something more challenging, you may want to incorporate a guided 20 minute workout that requires no equipment and can be done right in your own yard. You can even take a chair outside and get some fresh air while increasing your fitness with these smooth moves.
Don’t needlessly miss out on the great outdoors because of pain. Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida are your non-surgical back and joint specialists! We’re all about helping the members of our Manatee and Sarasota communities to live more active and fulfilling lives by maintaining and improving their overall health and fitness. We do this through providing high-quality physical therapy care and exceptional customer service. Find out how we can help you with back, neck, hip, or any other kind of joint pain by calling us at (941) 264-1414, emailing info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or directly sending us a message on our contact us page.