Tips for outdoor fun!
The weather is finally warming up. The sun is shining and everyone is itching to be outside. Just a few tips as you head outdoors for your spring activities.Some of us have been somewhat inactive during the snowy months and now that it’s nice out and we have more daylight, training for a marathon sounds like a good idea. Let me caution you about jumping into a full fledged workout regime. As anything, you must build up to your goals. And it is very important that you warm-up properly and STRETCH!
Before you head to Wash Park to play volleyball, kickball, or run, bike, or play tennis please do these simple things to avoid injury so that you can enjoy the whole summer outdoors:
- Stay hydrated. Bring plenty of water with you for outdoor activities. Dehydration is not fun and is easy to get in this dry climate.
- Wear Sunscreen. Don’t underestimate this Colorado sun. It can be brutal and it will only get hotter as we approach the summer solstice.
- Warm up. Especially for sports that require some intermittent sprinting (volleyball, kickball, tennis, ultimate Frisbee, soccer, etc).
- Stretch! Even is you don’t stretch beforehand, stretching after you have warmed your muscles is so important for maintaining flexibility and preventing muscle and tendon tears. All you golfers need to stretch every hole and between each club on the driving range.
- Look both ways. Please look both ways before crossing the street. This goes for pedestrians, bicyclists, and cars. More people are out and about, be mindful of people in your surroundings and heed traffic laws.
- Turn your iPod down. It’s hard to hear traffic coming with the music blaring. So just turn it down a bit and avoid a collision.
Safety first people! Hopefully these tips will allow you a much longer and safer time outdoors.
If not, I’m here to help.
Dr. Clark
