SUMMER SAFETY UN I QUE WA Y S T O KEEP COO L
THE INCREDIBLE RISE OF PICKLEBALL You’ve probably heard of pickleball, especially given its rising popularity in the United States and Canada, but you may be wondering what the big deal is about this relatively new fad. Pickleball is an awesome, low-impact sport that people of all ages can enjoy. It’s great exercise and great fun, and it’s the perfect game for family get-togethers. Pickleball originated on Bainbridge Island, Washington, in 1965. It was the creation of three fathers — Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — who needed to come up with something to keep the little ones entertained and out of their hair. Soon, however, it became popular among the adults, and they ended up spending more time on the court than their children. “Frankly,” McCallum says, “the kids got pushed out.” Since its early days, pickleball has transformed from an ad-hoc game to a full-fledged sport, complete with official rules, equipment, and leagues. Despite the more formal structure in place today, pickleball is incredibly easy to pick up and play. Investing in some paddles and balls won’t cost more than $100, and you can easily convert a tennis or badminton court for pickleball. One of the appeals of pickleball for older adults is that it is not excessively strenuous. It also doesn’t have the steep learning curve and high barrier to entry that sports like tennis or golf do. Due to the nature of a pickleball, which contains strategically placed holes similar to those of a whiffle ball, the game is much more about finesse than pure power or athleticism. While you can definitely hone your skills with practice, you’ll start having fun from day one. In addition to being a fun form of exercise, pickleball also offers older adults the chance to socialize with their peers. Leagues often lead to long-term friendships. Courts are small, and each game consists of only four players, making it easy to engage in some casual conversation or playful, competitive banter between points. If you’ve never picked up a paddle, consider joining a league or buying a set for your next family outing. You can introduce your grandkids to a fun new sport — and then school them for the bulk of an afternoon. A SPORT FOR ALL AGES BECOMES A CRAZE AMONG OLDER ADULTS
The heat peaks during the last months of summer, and it’s important to protect yourself. While staying hydrated is the main recommendation, here are some other fun and unique ways to keep cool during triple-digit weather.
KEEP A COOL HEAD.
If you’re outside during the long summer days having fun with your family or enjoying a quick pick-up game with friends, slicking your hair back with water is a great way to cool off. Your head is very sensitive to temperature, so this will help keep you cool for hours. If you have long hair, keep it up in a bun or ponytail to hold it back.
WET YOUR SLEEVES.
Wetting your sleeves is a great way to keep cool if there is a breeze or fan available. This is a great solution for work, as it’s a quick and efficient way to keep cool without appearing to be drenched.
IMPLEMENT THE EGYPTIAN METHOD.
Is the heat preventing you from getting enough sleep? Ancient Egyptians used to drench their blankets right before going to bed to keep themselves cool. While sleeping in a puddle
doesn’t sound pleasant, there is a modern method to this approach. If you soak a shirt, run it through the spin cycle of your washer, and wear it to bed, you should feel much cooler and get a better night’s sleep.
FOLLOW THE 8 BY 8 WATER RULE.
While drinking water is the best way to beat the summer heat, it’s important to know the minimum amount of water you need throughout the day. Most health experts recommend eight glasses of water in 8-ounce increments, also called the “8 by 8 rule”. There are several factors that affect how much you should be drinking daily, but this rule of thumb is a good starting point to ensure you stay hydrated. These are just a few ways you can keep cool as we head into the hottest months of the summer season. I encourage you to find more fun tips and tricks. While I thought these were great, you won’t believe some of the other unique techniques you will find!
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