Tips for Surviving Florida Summers

Central Florida is a top destination for summer vacations and snowbirds along with a place so many Floridians call home. Summertime in Florida is full of sunshine and fun. However, many of the fun activities are outdoors. Along with all of the fun, it’s important to keep cool and stay safe in the Florida heat and protect yourself from UV Rays.

While many people travel to Central Florida for summer fun, locals enjoy the summer time too! It’s just as important for Floridians to protect themselves from the sun and heat too.

Protecting Yourself from the Florida Sun

The Florida sun provides perfect sunny days great for outside activities, but it is harsh on our skin. It’s important to take time and ensure you and your family are protecting yourselves properly before enjoying your fun in the sun!

All of us here at the Erica Diaz Team live and play in Winter Garden or surrounding areas such as Windermere or Clermont. We know first hand how important it is to protect our skin from the sun as well as stay hydrated and cool. We gathered our top tips that should be used when heading outdoors to provide the greatest protection against UV Rays and staying cool.

Apply Sunscreen

Apply and reapply! There are a lot of choices when it comes to sunscreen, unfortunately, some can cause more harm than protection. To find a full list of safe sunscreens check out EWG’s 2021 Guide to Sunscreens. EWG is a fantastic resource for finding the right sunscreen. On their site you can take a quiz to pick the perfect one for your type of skin. It also has a lot of helpful info explaining why not all sunscreens are safe.

The most important thing to remember when using sunscreen is you have to reapply it. A good rule of thumb is to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating. It’s also best if you use other sun protective methods in addition to applying sunscreen, the more protection the better!

Choosing safe sunscreen:

• Don’t pick sunscreens over SPF 50+ (this may cause you to feel as though you don’t need to reapply as often.)
• Don’t use sunscreens that contain vitamin A (vitamins are good to take, but not to apply on your skin.)
• Don’t use sunscreens that contain oxybenzone (it can affect your hormone system.)
• Choose a rub sunscreen over the spray kind. The spray does not provide as good coverage and it’s not good to breath the particles.

Wear a Hat and Sunglasses

Hats help to shade your skin while out in the sun, making a great addition to sunscreen for protecting you against harmful UV Rays. Your eyes also need to be protected from the sun, so make sure you always remember your sunglasses. Plus they are a great addition to any summertime outfit! Go an extra step and check the tags when making a hat and sunglasses purchase. There are products out there that come with some great UV protection.

Find or Create Shade

There are so many versatile umbrellas available now that it’s never been easier to create shade where ever you go. From big tents for backyard BBQs to personal umbrellas that clip onto a beach chair.

Shade is incredibly important on hot Florida days. It provides a space to get out of the bright sunshine as well as cool down for a bit. If you are planning a full day outdoor activity, shade should be on the top of the list!

Options for shade:

• Umbrella
• Canopy
• Trees
• Pavillion

Plan for Early Morning or Late Afternoon

The sun is at its strongest in the middle of the day. So plan your outdoor activities in the early morning or late afternoon. Not only will the sun be less harsh on your skin it will be a little cooler outside as well.

Planning your day around the heat and sun doesn’t have to be hard. Many places in Florida open early and stay open later to provide the option of enjoying an experience when it’s not so hot or bright outside. Consider planning an outdoor activity in the morning then heading indoors for some fun during the middle of the day (or even take a nap.) Then plan an outdoor evening adventure!

Check the UV Index

The UV Index provides important information about the day’s UV rays. It can help you to plan your day around the harsher times. This can help avoid over exposure of the sun.

Staying Hydrated and Cool in the Florida Heat

Drink Water

Staying hydrated during summertime is extremely important. To avoid dehydration it’s imperative that you DRINK! DRINK! DRINK! WATER! Drinking water not only keeps you hydrated it also helps your body to regulate its temperature and avoid heatstroke.

It might come as a surprise, but it’s very easy to become dehydrated or have heatstroke in Florida. Especially if you are visiting, because your body is not use to the weather here. It’s not only HOT during Florida summers, it’s HUMID! The humidity is typically the biggest shocker to visitors.

Creative ideas to stay hydrated:

• Get a fun water bottle and take it with you everywhere! Most places you go will give you a free cup of water you can use to refill your water bottle while out… many of them will even give you ice!
• Use a straw! You can find a stainless steel or rubber straw almost anywhere. It may sound weird, but for some reason people drink more when they use a straw.
• Eat fruit, it’s full of water! This is a great way to stay hydrated. It encourages healthy snacking and hydration at the same time.
• Avoid caffeinated drinks! Caffeine can actually dehydrate you, so it’s a good idea to pick something else.
• Infuse your water with fruit! If you just can’t stand to have another boring drink of water, throw some fruit in it. BOOM… Instant flavor!

Becoming dehydrated is very dangerous and can happen quickly during summertime. Every person reacts to the heat of summer differently depending on their metabolism and activity level. Make sure you know the signs of dehydration.

Signs of dehydration:

• Decreased bathroom breaks
• Dark urine
• Headache
• Lethargic
• Tired
• Dizzy
• Dry skin
• Dry mouth

If you begin to experience any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to head back indoors where you can rest and hydrate for a while. If they do not quickly improve, a trip to urgent care is encouraged. Symptoms should not be ignored.

Use a Misting Bottle

These are genius! When you are hot and in need of a quick cool down, simply mist and fan yourself. Misting bottles can be found at any store in Florida. We’ve even seen them in gas stations!

Moving to Central Florida

Did you visit Central Florida for the summer and fall in love? It’s actually incredibly common for people to visit Central Florida and instantly fall in love. Many times their fun family trip quickly turns into daydreaming about calling this magical place home!

Lucky for you the Erica Diaz Team is a local real estate team that services Winter Garden, Windermere, Clermont and other Central Florida areas. Every team member lives locally and knows all the ins and outs of the area. We can help you determine which of our charming cities is the best fit for you and then find your dream home. Contact us today, we look forward to meeting you!

The Erica Diaz Team – Tips for Surviving Florida Summers

Florida is a summertime hot spot! We have gorgeous beaches, amazing theme parks, and so much more. However, the Florida sun is harsh. We want to encourage you to protect yourself and love ones while you’re enjoying your time outdoors.

If you find that you’ve fallen in love with Central Florida during your visit, and want to call it home, contact the Erica Diaz Team today. We would love to chat and show you around!