Spring Is About to Be Sprung Chargers
Use these tips to avoid sun damage:
Slather on that sunscreen! Slap it on your face and body before going outside. Sunscreens take 20 to 30 minutes to seep into the skin to protect you properly. For a day at the beach or a day laying out on the deck of your cruise ship, coat your entire body before getting dressed (a bathing suit gives only about an SPF 5 level of protection).
Use sunscreen generously. Studies have shown that using only half the necessary amount of sunscreen can turn what you think is a coating of SPF 30 into no more than an SPF 2.3. So what is the proper amount for complete coverage?...a full ounce on your body, one teaspoon on your face, and another teaspoon on your neck.
Reapply sunscreen often----especially after exercise on the beach or a long swim.
Dress for Protection. Summer clothes, like your favorite little tank from the GAP and those short shorts, provide little in the way of sun protection. A basic white cotton T-shirt gives you the equivalent of only about SPF 5 (get it wet and that drops to about SPF 3). The key to sun protection is the fabric's weave: The tighter the weave, the better it blocks UV rays.
Pick out the right sunglasses for you. The trendiest shades may not be the best for your protection. Darker shades absorb UV light, so less radiation makes it through the fabric to the skin. Ultraviolet rays are linked to eye cancers and skin cancers on and around the eyelids. Your best defense: sunglasses that offer 99 to 100 percent UV protection. If you buy a pair without the American Optometric Association's Seal of Acceptance, get them tested.
Avoid the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Don't use tanning booths or sunlamps—the fake and bake can cause real damage, so try a sunless tanner.
What to Bring:
Frequent travelers have a knack. For knowing exactly what to pack. It's not a case of 'everything goes' . . . rather...Start at your head and work down to your toes!
- Shampoo, conditioner, brush/comb, hairdryer, styling implements
- Contact lens solutions, prescription glasses & sunglasses
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash
- Prescription medicines & refills
- Over-the-counter medications . . . . aspirin, anti-motion sickness meds, anti-diarrhetics, antacids, antihistamines, vitamins
- Sunscreen and sun-protective lip balm
- Shaving cream/razor, aftershave
- Deodorant, favorite soap, perfume
- Body moisture lotion, face cream & cosmetics
- Personal care items . . . . condoms, lubricant, contraceptives, tampons/pads
- Basic FIRST AID KIT
Don't Forget
- Camera/batteries
- Hat or sun visor
- Sunglasses
- Bathing suit/towel
- Books/magazines
- Light colored, lightweight clothing
- Long sleeved T-shirt or other cover-up
- A comfortable pair of kicks
- Sweater or sweatshirt for cool evenings
- Travel alarm clock with batteries
- Sports-related equipment—football, baseball and bat, frisbee
- Flashlight
- Cell phone
- Personal Identification, passport, license
Dehydration
Ahhh! To relax in the sun. Nothing like a cold one while you're lying out, catching rays...if you are of age that is!
Remember that alcohol dehydrates the body; when you add the sun and salt on the skin, you've set your body up for dehydration. Make sure you drink non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated beverages to replace body fluid you're losing. Otherwise, you may show signs of dehydration: Dizziness (especially if consuming alcohol); an imbalance of potassium and sodium chlorides which leads to arrhythmia; weakness; muscle spasms; passing out; confusion. Warning signs of pending dehydration is dark urine or infrequent urination.
Hangovers
Everyone knows the symptoms of a hangover: Headaches; vomiting or nausea; "cotton mouth"; fatigue. Many do not know that a hangover is a mild form of alcohol withdrawal! Some symptoms are a rebound effect of alcohol on the nervous system. Other symptoms are due to a depletion of glucose and oxygen to the brain. Just remember, drinking too much too quickly on an empty stomach is a formula for a hangover. Bad news! To avoid a hangover: don't drink so much (duh!), sip, don't gulp your drinks; have food in your stomach when you drink; pace your drinks=one drink per hour if you're a guy and 1.5 hours for girls; never mix alcohol with prescription drugs or illicit drugs (especially depressant drugs like GHB); alternate a non-alcoholic drink between alcoholic drinks; do not pressure yourself or others to drink more.
Sooooo Hot!
"Wow! Look at that!" Ok, spring break is a time to meet new people and a lot of the time, it's when you're drinking. Realize that alcohol and sex make for an unsafe combination. While a small amount of alcohol acts as a "social lubricant", more alcohol brings forth a drastic change in the physiology of the sexual response. Be safe! Be Smart! Have fun!
Spring Break is a blast, but be sure to make good choices! Come back to us healthy, happy and safe!
Sincerely,
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