One of the biggest sporting events in Asia, the Hong Kong Sevens, is returning to the magnificent Hong Kong Stadium on April 6 to 8. It’s time to put on your favourite rugby team jersey and get ready for this fast, exciting and entertaining event.
As a spectator, it’s difficult to look away considering every play is potentially explosive, but exposing yourself to the sun throughout the tournaments can also be troubling.
When your body cannot regulate its own temperature because of the heat, common problems like sunburn and insomnia may occur. Luckily, there are ways you can prepare and protect yourself from them. Read on to find out how you can spend more time enjoying the sun!
Be sun smart
It’s all too tempting to start working on your tan at the earliest opportunity, but are you properly prepared?
Although some sun exposure is good for us – it boosts our vitamin D levels that our body cannot produce on its own for example – over exposure comes with serious risks.
The sun has two different types of ultraviolet (UV) rays – UVA and UVB – that damage our skin in different ways.
- UVA penetrates to the deeper layers of the skin, breaking down blood vessels and skin’s natural elasticity, making it more prone to wrinkling and ageing. 1
- UVB is responsible for sunburn – it damages the DNA in our skin cells causing red, raw, peeling and even blistering skin. 2
When you use a sunscreen with a high SPF, it works as a barrier, protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
Several sunscreen application tips:
- Use at least SPF15 when out in the sunshine
- Apply generously and regularly
It’s also important to wear a sun hat and avoid being in the sun between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest and to drink plenty of fluids during the day.
The damage caused by the sun can lead to cancerous cell growth in serious cases. 3 If you spot any changes in the shape, colour or texture of your moles or freckles, visit your doctor.
Night time cool down
Getting to sleep when the weather is hot and humid can be difficult, especially if we can’t rely on air conditioning to cool us down.
If you find yourself tossing and turning in the early hours because of the hot weather, why not try some of these simple tricks?
- Use a fan while you are falling asleep – it may not cool down the air, but will provide a soothing breeze.
- Keep your bedroom as cool as possible during the day by leaving blinds and curtains closed.
- Have a cool shower before bed or rest a cold damp face cloth on your forehead while dozing off.
Resources
1. The known effect of UV. World Health Organization. Visited 17 June 2014.
2. How does UV cause skin cancer? Cancer Research UK. Visited 17 June 2014
3. Resources. The World Skin Cancer Foundation. Visited 17 June 2014.
4. What are sunscreens? Skin Cancer Foundation. Visited 17 June 2014
5. Sleeping when it is blistering hot. National Sleep Foundation. Visited 17 June 2014.