Outdoor workouts offer many health benefits, but exposure to excessive sun rays could be harmful to your skin. Working out in direct sunlight could cause sunburns and other related effects such as dehydration or heat exhaustion. Protecting your skin during an outdoor workout is vitally important. Here are some tips:
• Time of Day Matters: Sun intensity varies depending on the time of the day. For instance, its intensity is lower in the morning than at midday or in the afternoon. This is why keeping track of time helps protect your skin during outdoor workouts. Plan your workouts and other outdoor activities like swimming and biking avoiding the times with the harshest sunlight.
• Check the UV Index: The UV index is another crucial factor to consider. Generally, the sun’s UV rays are strongest between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Therefore, you should ensure that your workout sessions are outside this time frame to prevent direct exposure. Remember that UV exposure is significantly higher closer to the equator and in mountainous areas. This is why you should keep track of time and work out when the risk is significantly low.
• Wear Protective Clothing: It is crucial to wear protective clothing when exercising outside. While the outdoors might be beautiful to look at, they pose a risk to your skin and overall well-being. Exposure to UV rays could be risky for your skin, so you need to invest in reliable protective clothes. Some of the protective gear you can get for your outdoor workout session include a hat, breathable shirts, jackets, and shoes. Ensure the shirts and jackets are made from high-quality fabric for efficient protection. You should also protect your eyes when working out outdoors. Look for sunglasses giving UVA/UVB protection when working out outdoors. These sunglasses protect your eyes and reduce exposure to sun rays. Besides, harmful rays can reflect off sand, pavement, and snow, exposing your eyes to sunlight. You need sunglasses equipped with UVA/UVB protection to prevent such effects.
• And of course, use sunscreen: Sunscreen is vital for your skin when you are outdoors. Even when you don’t see the sun out, applying sunscreen is crucial. It doesn’t have to be a sunny day for UV rays to reach your skin, as they can peek through clouds. Even on a cloudy day, they can penetrate your skin and cause damage. How you apply sunscreen determines its effectiveness. You should be generous in your application and develop a habit of reapplying every two to three hours. This should be done before exercising to ensure the best protection. If you are not prone to sun rays, wearing the right sunscreen can protect your skin from premature aging and skin cancer.

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