Jump In, the Water's Fine
Summer Water Safety Tips
Water is life – indispensable to the existence of living things. For us humans, it fuels our health, our hygiene, and our ability to thrive and survive.
Our bodies consist of somewhere between 50% to 60% water, so we naturally must replenish our fluids daily. Water keeps us hydrated, grows our plants (which produce other essentials, such as food and oxygen), and even powers many of our homes.
At a secondary level, scorching summer months like July remind us that water is good for us beyond providing essential fluids to our bodies. July is a popular month for lake days, beach vacations, and poolside fun. No matter how you spend time near water – swimming, sunning, surfing, or boating – it turns out that water is actually therapeutic for your mental health.
True story. Water has been found to reduce stress, enhance mood, and lower anxiety. Water environments typically offer calming sounds (you can download wave-noise apps to help you sleep), reflective surfaces, and often beautiful natural surroundings. Experts like Jimmy Buffett and Zach Brown nailed it in a song or two – blue spaces are great for emotional restoration.
Water is also an exceptional environment for your physical health.
Swimming, water aerobics, and even surfing offer ways to exercise in the heat of summer without overheating. Swimming, in particular, provides a full-body workout – including your cardiovascular system – without the strain on your joints of land-based activities.
There’s even a day in July (National Swimming Pool Day, July 11) celebrating blue space and the opportunity to use it for fun and exercise. Of course, there’s another day later in the month (World Drowning Prevention Day, July 25) that reminds us to not only swim safely, but ensure that swimming is learned at an early age.
This brings us to a few Ennis Regional safety tips to help you enjoy fun on the water without needing to visit us soon after.
- Learn to swim. And if you or a loved one hasn’t, don’t get into water without “floaties” or vests and close supervision.
- Stay hydrated. You may be enjoying the water in the summer heat, but if you aren’t drinking water, you can still overheat. July also happens to be Extreme Heat Awareness Month, which reminds us that hot weather can cause dehydration and even heatstroke.
- Stay “screened” from the sun. Apply sunscreen often and wear long sleeves and wide-brimmed hats to give your skin some extra cover if you are going to be out in the sun for extended periods. If possible, take breaks in shaded areas. Take heed – July is also UV Safety Month!
- Follow the rules. Each body of water – be it pools, lakes, oceans, etc. – has rules established with your safety in mind. Please obey them.
- If someone in the water is in danger, remember, “reach, throw, don’t go” – a water safety rule that reminds us not to jump in after someone struggling in the water. Instead, stay safe by reaching out with an object or throwing something that floats—never put yourself at risk by going in after them.
- Rinse off. Unfortunately, not all water can be trusted to be clean and devoid of bacteria or other harmful elements. Take a shower after a day in the pool, lake, stream, or ocean.
July is an awesome month for summer fun, especially when it comes to finding water to play in. Keep it safe, fun, and memorable – in a good way. Ennis Regional’s practitioners will be happy not to see you until August or whatever month your next check-up is scheduled.