The summer months in Houston make it very tough to be outside for long periods of time. Heat exhaustion and fatigue occur when the body overheats. The problem with Houston’s weather is mostly the humidity. In dry climates, the sweat from our body evaporates which pulls the heat out of the body thus allowing the body to cool off. The humidity in Houston prevents evaporation, therefore, causing the heat to remain in the body. In this scenario, the brain does not get the cooling signals needed to regulate temperature.
Here are a few products and tips to help keep your body cool and protected from the sun while exercising:
- Mike May, from our Racquet Sports team, would keep a small cooler with about three bandanas to tie around his neck and put on his arms and legs on changeovers.
- A towel with cold water draped around your neck during water breaks is helpful when working out or playing outside. The body gets the cooling signals to the brain and can regulate the body temperature.
- Wear wide-brimmed microfiber headwear to absorb moisture and protect your skin from harmful rays and provide better optics.
- Coola Classic 70 SPF Spray Sunscreen will provide 80 minutes of ultra-sheer, water-resistant protection against UVA/UVB rays. Available at The Shop at The Houstonian and Trellis Spa.
- Use Gorilla Grip, for a non-slip grip in humid, sweaty conditions. Available for purchase in the Racquets Office.
- Tasc apparel for men and women provides 50+ SPF sun protection, wicks moisture, and the breathable bamboo fabric offers natural cooling. Available in The Shop at The Houstonian or at shophoustonian.com.
- IV drips are available at The Covery by The Houstonian Club. IV therapy is beneficial to prevent or treat dehydration because the fluids go directly into your bloodstream.
Just remember that your body does not realize that a sport is a recreation. The process of becoming overheated, even when doing something like exercise, is viewed as a threat to the amygdala, the gland in the midbrain that protects us involuntarily from harm. When you become overheated, the natural bodily response is to shut down or stop what you are doing to prevent further harm to the body. This is one of the reasons why some athletes quit when the pressure and real "HEAT” is on. Pushing through your survival instincts safely can help an athlete become mentally tougher and have the courage to push through uncomfortable competitive situations.
By: Mike May, Racquet Sports Director