Healthy, Hydrating Hacks to Beat the Heat

by SUSAN BOYOUNG BAILEY SCHABACKER

Don’t let the hottest weather’s oppressive heat and humidity get to you or be harmful to your health. Try these helpful hydration + beat-the-heat hacks this summer.

HEALTHY HYDRATION AND H20 FLAVOR SENSATION

Bored with the same ole, plain ole water? Naturally flavor and refresh your senses by adding fresh fruit slices like citrus, berries, melons, and cucumbers that you can also soothe your eyes along with herbs like mint. Enhance the flavor by mashing with a fork, spoon, or mortar and pestle before dropping in water. And, don’t forget the ice.

You can also freeze fruits, herbs, and edible flowers in your ice cube trays and substitute tea for water (‘tis the season). Add aloe Vera juice, coconut water and/or fruit juices. Replenish with minerals including calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium and electrolytes in coconut water.

GET GORGEOUS GREEN GODDESS FACIAL MASK

Nourish your skin and soothe your senses with a luxurious and natural summer skin-saving face mask that gently exfoliates, adds moisture, and alleviates irritation. DIY with edible ingredients straight from your kitchen.

Ingredients

2 pitted avocados (mash with fork and salvage pits to clean off and use as massage tools)

Plain yogurt (whole milk, coconut, or almond)

2½ tablespoons rolled oats/tea leaves/coffee grounds

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive, avocado, jojoba, or apricot kernel oil

1 tablespoon green tea or 2 to 3 teaspoons matcha green tea powder

Juice from 1 lemon wedge or 2 to 3 teaspoons apple cider vinegar (optional)

Instructions

Blend ingredients in a bowl, apply to clean skin, let sit for 5 to 15 minutes, and gently massage in circular motions to encourage exfoliation prior to rinsing with warm-cool water. Pat dry and proceed with your skincare routine (e.g. toner and moisturizer).

HAVE FUN! SOAK UP THE SUN BUT NOT FOR TOO LONG

Getting enough sun has multiple benefits in boosting our health and happiness. But, not enough sun or too much sun can have adverse effects. Have more fun in the sun, but guard against harmful UV rays to avoid the risk of skin cancer and sun damage. Vitamin D, known as the sunshine vitamin, is naturally synthesized via the sun’s rays. Sunscreen of SPF 30 can reduce synthesis by about 95% so it’s important to protect your skin with sun protection.

SMART SUN-SAVVY SOLUTIONS

You can’t go wrong with a pair of stylish sunnsies, visor, cowgirl or wide-brimmed hat, parasol and handheld fan to help shade you from the sun and stay cool (in more ways than one).

Sunbrella to the rescue . . . windproof, waterproof, and sun proof, so you’re well equipped to brave the summer elements. Whether you’re staying dry, dancing in the rain, staying in the shade, or dancing in the sun, keep a compact umbrella with UV ray protection handy for when you’re on the go.

WET ‘N WILD WATER FUN

Why not make a splash at your next outdoor cookout? Whether or not you’re able to cool down and splash around at the beach, pool, lake, or any other body of water, you can still have fun cooling off with water in your front or back yard (love that sprinkler and water hose!) or a local park. Mist yourself with a portable misting fan and/or fill spray bottles with water and a few drops of essential oil(s) or flavor extract(s) (optional).

Time to fill up those water balloons and water guns and tag team your workout with a wet ‘n wild game of water tag. Fill up the kiddie pool and bring along some water- and fun-loving toy friends for kids and kids-at-heart like a rubber ducky (“you’re the one; you make water time so much fun”), pink flamingo and, of course, a mini shark floaty (Jaws soundtrack plays in background).

Bring a cooler filled with ice where the drinks can chill, as you do. Listen to some chillax tracks and your fav summer songs, whether it’s a smaller intimate gathering with a few musician friends or a voluminous venue, complete with a DJ and musical acts and/or other entertainment.

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Susan B. B. Schabacker

Forsyth Magazines writer since 2018. Susan Schabacker was blessed to be adopted as a baby and made her journey from South Korea to Massachusetts where she arrived safely into her adoptive mother’s loving arms. She later moved to New Mexico and, after a few years, moved to Winston-Salem, NC, to study classical ballet at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts from the eighth grade through high school. Susan has lived in the Piedmont Triad area for nearly 20 years and had the opportunity to travel to Budapest, Hungary; London, UK; and Beijing, China, where she studied abroad through Elon University. In Stockholm, Sweden, she had a marketing internship at Hachette-Filipacchi, publisher of Elle and other magazines. She graduated with a B.A. in Corporate Communications and a minor in Dance from Elon University. Susan loves writing and is pleased to have written for Winston-Salem Journal’s "Teen Page," Triad Living, KernersvilleMagazine, and of course, Forsyth Mags. She is a co-author of a children’s book, Huckleberry Robin, based on a three-generation true family story. Susan is grateful for her faith, family, and friends and is happy and excited to be part of the Forsyth Mags team. She spreads the word about Forsyth magazines and enjoys reading and sharing them with her family and friends every month.

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