It also means lots of chances for kids to get hurt -- more outside play and more sports can be a bad thing if you're not prepared.
Sports injuries are all too common, and can usually be prevented. Dehydration and sprains caused by improper conditioning before starting the season can so easily be prevented just by taking a little "prep" time beforehand.
As Dr Eric Law explains in this month's video:
* Adequate hydration BEFORE beginning a practice or a game is essential. Once you start sweating away fluid -- it's nearly impossible to catch back up.
* Proper conditioning beforehand is also a must. Stretching and warming-up before strenous activity has always been a staple of good sports habits, but conditioning yourself for the weather is also important. Most collapses by young players during the summer months are due to poor conditioning before those heated practices or games. Get your children off the couch and out of the air condititioning for at least a little while each day when it starts to warm up. Slow but steady conditioning of activity in the heat will allow a greater tolerance in those hot summer practices.
It's not just children who need to remember these key facts. Adults, especially older adults, are affected by heat and exhaustion even more. During the hot summer months, the elderly should drink plenty of fluids to maintain adequate hydration. Especially if you have to be somewhere where there is no air conditioning -- adequate hydration is essential. It's also a good idea for you to get outside when it's warm and acclimate yourself to the heat. It will make these grueling hot Alabama summers a little more bearable if you condition yourself slowly to the heat.
Finally, spring is the perfect opportunity to make a big impact in your diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables begin to be in peak season and become readily available. For that matter, why not start your own garden. Not only will you get the benefit of growing your own food, you get the exercise, too. That's a two-for-one deal if I ever heard it!
Need help getting that garden started? Visit one of the great sites below for ideas and advice.
http://www.helpfulgardener.com/
http://www.hgtv.com/gardening/14-simple-gardening-tips-and-tricks/index.html
http://www.mygardenguide.net/
http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/
http://www.bhg.com/gardening/gardening-by-region/
http://inthezonegardening.com/
http://www.theeasygarden.com/
