Summer health mistakes... and how to avoid them

From eating and drinking too much to wearing the wrong sunglasses, Natasha Holt reveals how to swerve common holiday hiccups

DRINKING TOO MUCH ALCOHOL

RESEARCH shows we drink an extra 333 million pints of beer and 67 million more litres of wine in summer than in winter.

“We do find that there’s definitely a rise in drinking – and people feeling pressured to drink more – over the summer months,” says Martin Preston, founder and chief executive of Delamere Health, which specialises in addiction.

“It may taste refreshing but alcohol can actually dehydrate and everyone should be making sure they are drinking plenty of water in between any alcoholic drinks.”

IRRITATING OUR SKIN

We all know to protect ourselves from skin cancer but the sun can also affect our skin in several other ways.

“UV rays can irritate the skin, triggering a host of potential complaints,” says Dr Ross Perry, skin specialist and owner of skin clinic Cosmedics. “Polymorphous light eruption affects 10 to 15% of the population and causes a spotty rash after sun exposure.

“The skin can itch or have a burning sensation and be very uncomfortable. People who already have acne or rosacea often find the sun can aggravate these conditions too.”

NOT EXERCISING ENOUGH

Gym attendance is traditionally low over the summer, with the last Sunday in August being the quietest day of the year aside from Christmas.

“For many, the hot weather is an excuse not to exercise, with the heat making body temperature rise faster than usual, making working out seem more difficult,” says David Wiener, training specialist at the Ai-based coaching app Freeletics.

“Also people often opt for a night out with friends rather than a date with the gym and this can play havoc with your fitness regime.

“When it’s hot, know your limits, pay close attention to your body and find a workout you enjoy that will keep you motivated over summer.”

WEARING THE WRONG SUNGLASSES

“Many people don’t realise that fashion sunglasses without a UV filter can be more harmful than not wearing any at all,” explains Ceri Smith-jaynes, optometrist and spokesperson for the Association of Optometrists. “This is because the tint makes your pupils dilate, so your eyes take in more light but are unprotected. Go for a pair with the CE mark that indicates they have full UVA and UVB protection.

“Glasses that sit closer to the eye and wrap around, blocking out more light, are usually better too.”

EATING TOO MUCH

Last summer an estimated 100 million barbecues were fired up, and at each one we consumed an average of 3,200 calories.

“With longer sunny days come outdoor activities and social events,” says dietitian Sejal Jacob. “This leads to increasing indulgence in foods like burgers and sausages, accompanied by alcoholic or fizzy drinks, so it’s easy to lose awareness of how much we eat.”

NEGLECTING YOUR TEETH

Both fruit and carbonated drinks can cause havoc with your teeth, so it’s little wonder dentists see more patients after the summer. “All fruit contains sugar and acids which can erode tooth enamel,” says Susie Lloyd, dentist at Bupa Dental Care.

“Citrus fruits have concentrated amounts so moderation is key. And remember not to brush your teeth straight after eating or drinking anything highly acidic.”