How To Survive The Summer

By Lev Novak

So you’re going to survive the summer. I apologize for the alarmist title. But, as you know, the summer is a dangerous time. Safety is a concern, especially in a season where people traditionally aren’t concerned about anything.

So let’s talk safety.

1. The Sun Is Crazy

Remember the sun?

The sun is not your friend.

The sun is an intense burning ball of gas that has only gotten stronger since you’ve last remembered. It will cook you if given the chance. It will steal your water in sweat and evaporation.

Don’t let it happen.

Sun damage to your skin is a real thing, and it isn’t just about getting tan. Cover up your skin either with a thin layer of clothes or sunscreen. Sunscreen isn’t a fun thing to put on, but it’s a good idea. Go ahead and stick with it, especially as the summer catches on. Having peeling red skin hurts, looks dumb, and is super avoidable.

2. Drink Water

Hydration is a boring concept but an important one. Today, we have the luxury of worrying about all sorts of minor things, from our Twitter followers to our haircuts, but hydration is a basic, classic human concern that we’ve overlooked time and time again in the summer.

Well, overlook it no longer because the summer is back upon us. Don’t drink out in the sun oblivious of the dehydrating aspects of alcohol, and don’t assume you’ll automatically be drinking enough water. Hydration is boring which is why we can often overlook it, so make sure you don’t overlook it.

Overheating is a real risk that you run, so make sure you drink enough water to keep your body alive and ticking during the summer months. Bring a water bottle around if you have to and think to the last time you drank water. At the very least, it’ll help prevent hangovers, and water is generally a good thing to be ingesting. Keep it up in the summer.

3. Stay Sane

Mental health is an important part of health proper and summer, with its loose rules and lack of structure can make you go a little bit bonkers.

Do you have an internship or classes or a summer job? Are your friends around or are they out abroad? Are you abroad? Take stock of what your summer is going to look like. Do you have a paid job away from friends? Schedule a cool trip in early July to break up the summer- you can afford to, after all. Do you have no work to do but a summer full of friends? Explore productive options to keep your lifestyle more healthy and grounded while hanging out.

Stay balanced and sanity will follow.

4. Don’t “Yolo.”

Summer encourages dumb ideas and decisions.

Don’t be fooled. A broken leg isn’t fun in any season.

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