VISITING ANGELS PUNTA GORDA, FL 941-347-8288
Facebook YouTube X Instagram LinkedIn

Stay Active in the Heat of Summer

Senior man with surf board on beachAlthough summer season is drawing near to an end, the heat of summer continues to linger, wearing out its welcome. After enduring the heat and humidity for several months, it can be difficult for anyone to maintain their active lifestyle. The heat and humidity can especially cause seniors to wane from their usual recreational activities. They can get a little too comfortable sitting around indoors waiting for summer’s heat to end, while feeling trapped at the same time. Just as seniors living in colder climates feel angst when cabin fever hits, seniors living in subtropical climates can also experience a different kind of cabin fever during the summer months. If you’re a senior ready to reclaim their active lifestyle despite the summer heat, here are a few tips on how you can stay active and safe.

Beat the Heat

There’s no reason to avoid outdoor recreational activities, as long as you’re smart about the timing. Beat the heat of the day by getting up earlier to enjoy a morning walk or scheduling an early tee-time. If you’re not a morning person, make plans to participate in your recreational pursuits in the evening, after temperatures have peeked. Many outdoor recreational facilities provide lighted courts so that you can get in a game of tennis or walk the track as the sun sets.

Increase Hydration

Heat and humidity cause our bodies to sweat faster and more abundantly, meaning that active seniors need to stay on top of their hydration. Unfortunately, many seniors don’t realize that they’re dehydrated to begin with, as their thirst mechanism is slower to send signals to their brain. In addition to a slower thirst response, seniors generally don’t sweat as much as younger adults, adding complications to heat-regulation in their bodies. This is all the more reason why seniors need to stay hydrated, especially as they exercise and participate in other recreational activities. Keep hydrated by drinking water first thing in the morning, with each meal, and before, during, and after active pursuits.

Opt for Indoors

On days when it’s just too hot, choose to exercise indoors rather than outdoors, where you’re more at risk for suffering from a heat-related illness. Just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean that you can’t continue your exercise program inside. There are many ways to adapt your usual cardio routine to the indoor setting. Walk on a treadmill. Ride a stationary bicycle. Focus on strength training exercises to improve your tennis or golf swing. Stay agile with yoga or other recovery stretches so that you’re ready to resume your outdoor walk or jog once the hot spell has passed.

Phone a Friend

Before heading outdoors, or even to the gym, call a family member or friend as a safety precaution. Let them know where you’re headed, how long you plan to be there, and what you’re wearing. If you’re tech savvy, it’s not a bad idea to send them a selfie so that they have a reference photo should they need one. Keep your cell phone with you at all times while you’re outdoors. Even better, install an app that allows your family member or friend to track your location. You can turn this setting on and off if you’re concerned about privacy. Afterwards, call your family member or friend to let them know that you’re finished. If you forget, they should call you to check in after the allotted time has passed.

Know When to Stop

Finally, know that it’s better to stop if you at all feel dizzy, light-headed, draggy, or tired. It’s better to stop earlier than to push through and suffer a heat stroke because you had to finish that lap. Take a day or two to rest. Alternate between outdoor and indoor activities when the heat index is high. Only you know your limits, so trust your instincts and listen to your body.

If you need additional help to keep you on track this summer, Visiting Angels Punta Gorda is here for you. Maybe you need a compassionate companion to accompany you on your summer walks, or perhaps you’re ready for more consistent help around your home. We offer a variety of senior in-home care services that allow seniors to stay independent and safe in the comfort of their own home. We work with each of our clients to create a personalized plan of care tailored to their individual needs. We recognize that every senior has different needs, and we want to honor their individual needs rather than fit them to a cookie-cutter plan of care. If you’re ready to take that next step with us, contact our office today by calling 941-347-8288 Charlotte County or 239-226-1620 Lee County.

Serving Punta Gorda, North Fort Myers, Boca Grande, Cape Coral, Sanibel, Captiva, Arcadia and Surrounding Areas

Visiting Angels PUNTA GORDA, FL
25166 Marion Ave #114
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Phone: 941-347-8288
A Florida employee based Home Health Agency, FL Lic # 299994657

Serving Punta Gorda, North Fort Myers, Boca Grande, Cape Coral, Sanibel, Captiva, Arcadia and Surrounding Areas

Visiting Angels PUNTA GORDA, FL
25166 Marion Ave #114
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Phone: 941-347-8288
A Florida employee based Home Health Agency, FL Lic # 299994657