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1. Don't overeat in the heat. Some experts say that we can mistake hunger for thirst. Try a cool, fresh fruit juice to take the edge off.
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2. “10 and 2” may be safe for your hands on a steering wheel, but avoid going out in the sun between those hours. Remember, shade is our skin's friend...whether it’s from big leafy trees or a wide- immed hat.
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3. Our skin isn't the only thing to protect from the sun. Don't forget sunglasses. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), research has shown that ultraviolet (UV) radiation increases the likelihood of certain cataracts. Other kinds of eye damage include pterygium (tissue growth that can block vision), skin cancer around the eyes, and degeneration of the macula (the part of the retina where visual perception is most acute). All of these problems, according to the EPA, can be lessened with proper eye protection. Look for eyewear that offers 99 to 100 percent UV protection.
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4. Don't drink alcohol near the water. (Are you listening, guys? According to recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, males were three times more likely than females to die from unintentional drowning in the U.S.) Alcohol use is involved in up to half of the adolescent and adult deaths associated with water recreation.
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5. Just because the days are longer, don't stay up later. Sleep may be the most important health supplement we can take.
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Itching for a fight
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And speaking of summer, does just the smell of Caladryl lotion really take you back...and makes you itch? (Why did it always get so crusty and cracked when it dried, making you look even worse?) Too bad we didn't know this six-word rhyme back then: “Leaves of three, leave it be.” Teach it to your kids this summer and you won't have to stock up on cortisone cream. Of course poison ivy isn't the only plant with three leaves, and some of them are perfectly harmless. But wouldn't you rather be safe than scratchy?
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