Staying Safe in the Sun this Season in Retirement Communities

Summer is not the only season that requires sun safety!

It’s a common misconception that once the weather starts to cool, you can let down your guard when it comes to sun protection. Not only are UV rays still harmful in the colder seasons, but as we age, our sun becomes more susceptible to sunburn and sun damage. This means that forgetting your daily sunscreen in the fall and winter months is actually a huge mistake!

At Sunshine Retirement Living, our wonderful communities take sun protection seriously! So seriously we compiled a list for our residents and surrounding community members of our top tips for staying safe in the sun in the colder months. Read on for more!

Wear Sunscreen

Does it get any simpler than the old adage to wear sunscreen? Protection from the sun’s UV rays starts here. Look for one with at least 30 SPF and is marked as broad spectrum. Broad-spectrum sunscreen protects from both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are the rays that cause wrinkles and sunspots. UVB rays cause sunburn and skin reddening. Not only does broad spectrum protect against both, but to be considered broad spectrum, the sunscreen needs to be FDA approved, meaning this sunscreen is your best defense against sun damage.

Cover Up

Much easier done in autumn and winter than in the summer, it’s still wise advice to keep your skin covered up in the sun during the cooler months. Lucky for you, wearing long sleeves and long pants is easy with the changing of the seasons. But on those rare extra-warm days, be sure to keep covered. We suggest keeping one or two items in your closet that are warmer weather-friendly, but still sun appropriate, when you’re swapping out your summer wardrobe for your winter wardrobe.

SPF Lip Balm

Often forgotten, your lips need protection from the sun too! When the weather is cold and dry and you’re reaching for your trusty chapstick, make sure it contains an SPF. Double duty in keeping your lips hydrated and sun-safe is important, as dry, chapped lips can invite infection through bleeding lips. This can make it difficult or even painful to eat, drink, or simply talk! Lastly, keeping your lips moisturized is a key factor in anti-aging efforts, and so is using SPF!

Drink Water

It’s incredibly important to continue hydrating in the winter, and almost more importantly to be more mindful of it. As one of our indicators of thirst is often feeling overheated, with cooler temperatures, it can be harder to notice when our bodies are thirsty. In the winter, the sun still can cause your body to lose water and essential salts that keep your body hydrated. Consider carrying a water bottle with you and setting an alarm on your phone to remind you to take hydration breaks regularly!

Staying sun-safe all year round doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, it can easily become second nature! Simple daily reminders to drink water, apply sunscreen and other forms of SPF, and dress carefully are easy to add as alarms to your phone, notes on your calendar or planner, or even write down on post-its and stick them to your mirror as a helpful reminder when getting ready in the morning. Implement these tips into your daily routine, and you’ll be good to go!

If you are interested in learning more about our wonderful retirement communities at Sunshine Retirement Living, please give our friendly team a call today!