Summer is the perfect time to get involved in physical activities, especially the ones that you can do outdoors like jogging, softball, and tennis. But, becoming active after the “dormant” days of winter carries requires some forethought. So, here are a few tips for getting in shape before getting physically involved, again, with the great outdoors:
- See your chiropractor to make sure your musculoskeletal system is in healthy alignment.
- Always stretch before any type of exercise. Your chiropractor can suggest specific stretches and “pre-sports” exercises that will prepare you body for the types of summer activities you want to get involved in.
- Stay hydrated. Good hydration means drinking plenty of water and replenishing your “electrolytes” as well.
- Don’t do it all on the first day. Start out slowly and pace yourself, and make sure you take breaks and to drink those fluids.
- Be aware of the outdoor temperature. Extreme summer heat can over-heat your body’s systems. Adding exercise to the mix can further increases circulation, raises your heart rate, and makes breathing more laborious.
- Don’t go to extremes. After you exercise or play a sport, don’t take an extra cold shower (even if you want to cool down fast) or an extremely hot shower or sauna (even though you want to relax your well-worked muscles). Again, you don’t want to put your body’s system on overload.
- Have fun. That’s what summer is all about right? healthy exercise can give you a “natural high” that is good for you mentally and physically!