Soak Up the Sun Fun – The Ultimate Summer Survival Guide
Necessities for Your Summer Emergency Preparedness Pack
Summertime, sunkissed days, and endless adventures are right around the corner, but let's be real, not everything about summer is a walk on the beach. Bugs, burns, and wardrobe malfunctions can quickly turn your sun-drenched escape into a humbug holiday. But don't sweat it!
We've teamed up with Dr. Havilah DeBell, an emergency care physician at UW Medicine Urgent Care, to compile the ultimate summer survival kit! Here's the skinny on what you need to stay healthy, stylish, and Sun-soaked all summer long.
The Basics
Pack these must-haves when you're headed for a beach day or picnic in the park:
- Sun Protection: Sunscreen (preferably with zinc) that provides broad-spectrum protection and is water-resistant, is an absolute summer essential. Reapply every two hours or more frequently if you're swimming or sweating profusely.
- Multipurpose Wipes: Babies, beach tables, and public facilities – these wipes clean everything! Bonus: they're great for removing stains, too, without harsh chemicals that might harm your clothing.
- Nutritious Snacks: A hungry stomach can quickly turn your Zen into a mad dash for the convenient store. Opt for energy-rich snacks, such as nuts, fruit, or snack bars, that won't spoil even if you're out exploring all day long.
- Sustainable Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is key to a fun-filled summer. A reusable water bottle made of aluminum or glass ensures you can refill as needed without contributing to plastic waste. Plus, they won't off-gas harmful chemicals like some plastic bottles do.
The Outdoorsy Essentials
If you're planning on hitting the trails, ocean or mountains this summer, amp up your kit with these additions:
- First Aid Trifecta: Antiseptic wipes, elastic bandage wraps, and petroleum jelly go a long way when it comes to treating common summer injuries like sprains or wounds. A well-stocked first aid kit can make all the difference when you're miles away from civilization.
- Insect Repellent: Say goodbye to pesky mosquito bites and the dreaded wrestling match with your itchy skin! Insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin offer safe and effective protection. And don't forget to check the label – some repellents guard against more than just mosquitoes.
- Medications and Creams: Sunburns, rashes, and allergies can put a damper on your summer plans. Arm yourself with over-the-counter pain relievers, anti-itch cream, antifungal cream, and allergy medicine to combat those pesky summer nuisances.
The Lifestyle Savers
When the summer heat calls for a pool party or backyard barbecue, keep these items on hand to stay fabulous all evening:
- Blister Pads or Bandages: Nasty blisters don't have to put a damper on your heels-on-wheels fashion game! A couple of stick-on bandages or blister pads can save you from a nasty spill on the dance floor.
- Makeup Remover: Even the best makeup has its limits when it comes to withstanding the summer heat. Stock up on waterproof makeup removers or portable wipes to touch up your eyeshadow and lipstick between dips in the pool.
- Period Products: You never know when you might need the helping hand of a tampon or maxi pad. Better safe than sorry!
- Hair Ties: A casual breeze can turn into a windy disaster when it comes to taming your mane. Hair ties can help you keep the flyaways at bay and get you back on your A-game.
In the ultimate summer survival guide, a sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection and water-resistance, essential for skin-care and health-and-wellness, should always be included in the beach day or picnic in the park essentials. To combat insect bites and other summer nuisances, consider incorporating insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin, crucial for your skin-care and health-and-wellness, in your outdoorsy essentials.
