At the moment most of us are longing for a little bit of sun, which is apparently finally on its way. We spend all winter looking forward to feeling the warmth on our skin and getting a little bit of a glow. We dream of being able to go out without piling on a thousand layers first. Of just being able to walk down the street in a t-shirt or dress, without having to take a jacket “just in case” and we can’t wait to sit outside in the sun reading a book and sipping an ice-cold drink.
Many of us have already booked summer holidays, perhaps staying with Elegant Address, and are counting down the days until even more great weather, with a much smaller chance of rain, and some of us are just starting to come out of a winter funk.
This is great. The sun is fantastic, and it should be enjoyed. Getting more sunlight can boost your mood and confidence and help you to sleep better. It can encourage you to get out and do some exercise, and it gives you vitamin D levels a huge boost, which can help to fight off and prevent infection and disease as well as improving your mental health. Being out in the sunshine also gets us out there with our friends and family more and could help you to get a bit of a digital detox.
But, there is such a thing as too much sun. Especially when you’re not used to it. Spending too much time in the sunshine can lead to sunburn and eventually, skin cancer. It can dry out your hair, skin and nails, give you headaches and make you feel much more tired than usual. So, it’s important that you get the balance right and avoid too much sun. This can be difficult on the hottest days or when you are on holiday, so here are some tips to help you.
Wear Sunscreen
Firstly, even if you are avoiding too much sun, even, in fact, if it’s not a particularly sunny day, you should be wearing sunscreen. Even in the winter time, it’s a good idea to wear a foundation or primer with added SPF, as the sun’s rays could still be doing harm. In the summer, wear a high factor and reapply throughout the day.
Avoid the Midday Sun
The sun is generally at its highest around lunchtime, so it’s best to go indoors from around 11-2. If you are on holiday, use this time to head to a café for lunch or to take an afternoon siesta. If you do need to be outdoors, being in the shade can reduce UV radiation by 50-95% so try to find a shaded area.
Wear a Hat
Wear a hat with a wide brim or even carry a parasol on very hot days. A hat like this will protect your head, face and neck and help prevent headaches. You should also protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses that provide UV protection.
This was a collaborative post.