Happy Monday guys! Another week of possibilities is at our finger tips! I spent a lot of time in the kitchen again this weekend! I have become more addicted to cooking and experimenting than ever. But I am also stock piling recipes to have for the blog when I start school at the end of August and won’t really have time to be getting to creative. Planning ahead is always best π I would have Instagramed some of the things I was creating, but most of us were affected by the “Instagram Debacle of July 20th, 2014”. That app was down all morning! It was so frustrating, haha!
I’m nixing the #PowerMonday link-up since no one has really been link-up. Kinda defeats the whole purpose. But don’t worry, I’m keeping Power Monday going strong on my end. I thought today would be a good day to give you all a little reminder on keeping safe this summer. That is keeping sun safe.
Sometimes we forget that being out in the beautiful summer sun can be extremely harmful to us if we don’t stay protected. So many times I see people with terrible sun burn and they pretty much laugh it off and shake their heads at themselves, yet they do it again and again. That is not okay. Repeated sun exposure that results in sun burn is not only harmful, but also deadly. Skin Cancer is no joke and is the most common form of cancer in the US. There are 3 forms. Basal cell and squamous cell are highly curable, but can still be detrimental. Melanoma is the third and most deadly form. UV rays from the sun are radiation that can be absorbed through the skin. Invisible, but can be deadly.
Some people are even more at risk than others. Those with light skin, history of skin cancer, high/repeated exposure, those with blue or green eyes, blonde or red hair are more likely to get burns and need to be extra vigilant. So what can we do to prevent the harmful effects of the sun while still being able to enjoy the outdoors?
I don’t sit out and tan very often, nor have I been outside for long amounts of time yet this summer. I am still guilty though of not putting on lotion when I sit out on the deck to read a book. Even though I’m not getting burned, I am still absorbing bad radiation. When I do go to the beach or am out for long periods of time, I burn! So I have to make sure I use lotion especially on my shoulders, face, and even scalp. I started wearing a big floppy hat to the beach since my scalp burns no matter what, even with special scalp and head sun tan lotion. My mom and brother tan so easily, but me, not so much. I have much lighter skin and blue eyes. Plus my hair is so thin that my scalp just is not protected enough by my hair. But I don’t mind not being tan. When your tan, it’s actually your body’s defense response to the sun’s UV radiation, meaning your getting some damage even though you aren’t burning.
I also find that when I’m out in the sun for awhile, I get a major headache. That’s one of the reasons I don’t really like going to the beach to often. First of all it’s boring (unless it is a tropical paradise), second, I always feel like crap after. But I’ve learned that if I drink gallons and gallons of water and sit in an air conditioned room, I tend to be okay in a few hours. But truly, I love the sun, hence the name “Strength and Sunshine“! It provides us with the beautiful light and warmth that I crave all year (especially in the Winter!)
So tell me:
+ Do you always wear sunscreen when you go out, even if it is just for a few minutes?
+ Do you burn easily or are you one of those easier tanners?
+ Do you get a headache when your out in the sun and heat to long?
Sources: www.CDC.gov www.greatist.com
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penguinsangel says
What great tips and really so easy, but again so easy to forget. I do fairly well about putting on sunscreen if I am going to be out for awhile in the sun. BUT sometimes i just don’t feel like making that extra effort if I am feeling the need to go sit out and read.
Strength and Sunshine says
You sound exactly like me! If I’m going to be out for less than an hour, I just don’t feel like going through the hassle!
Jessie says
I just love reading your blog so I nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger award. Here’s the link: http://www.itsamessylife.com/blog/2014/7/22/very-inspiring-blogger-awardο»Ώ
Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks Jessie!
Emily @ Zen & Spice says
I’ve always been one to tan rather than burn, if I keep enough sunscreen on. When it washed off in pool water, I can get pretty burned! I recently started wearing hats while running to protect my scalp and face from the sun, and making sure to put sunscreen on whenever I go running.
Strength and Sunshine says
Besides my nose, under my eyes, my shoulders, and my scalp, I don’t really burn or tan! Even though I’ll never have more than 15 or 30 SPF haha!
But hats are great, everyone should embrace the hat π
Katherine says
I relate to this so so much! Sun protection is crazy important. I always forget about my scalp and burn it running so early in the morning! So so glad I found you through your Insta!
Strength and Sunshine says
That damn scalp! I feel like I’m some bald old man who has to worry about it! I wish my hair was thicker π
Haha! I’m glad you finally found me too! (P.S. are you going to be a senior in high school next year?)
little chickadee says
As someone who need SPF Irish..I can relate so much to this!!
Strength and Sunshine says
Ha, yes! You totally have to be careful!
candies & crunches says
I love the sun, but I’m guilty of not applying a sunscreen because of my forgetfulness or maybe… uhem… ignorance. That being said, I’m working on it! Great suggestions! xoxo
Strength and Sunshine says
I’m not forgetful, I’m just to lazy…which is bad. But really I haven’t been out in the sun much so I can be lazy about it…for now π
genevieve y says
Hehe, I stockpile recipes when I get busy too! I’m the same about the sun- don’t make an effort to go tanning, and always make sure to sunscreen myself when I’m out in the sun. I get sunburned very easily and it is PAINFUL!
Strength and Sunshine says
I have like 30 recipes right now that are waiting to get posted, haha!
Yea, I really could careless if I look tan. Pale all the way! At least I won’t end up with wrinkles and bad skin later in life either π
fitnessmomwinecountry says
When I was younger, I did not care nearly as much as I should have about sunscreen. I really started paying attention late 30’s and then up until now late 40’s. Sunscreen goes on my face and neck and decolletage area. I run outdoors so this is very key, and our kids use sunscreen everyday also, even before they leave for school.
Strength and Sunshine says
That’s awesome that your kids where it everyday! Great to start them off early and fresh!
I’m glad I grew up in the generation that we know it’s important…even if we don’t all do it! But you’ll never find me slathering on baby oil and tanning on the beach, that’s for sure!
Jill Conyers (@jillconyers) says
I’m a poster child for skin cancer both genetically and lifestyle history. I’m an avid sunscreen user and annoying my kids to do the same. They think it’s annoying to have to wear sunscreen when they go to the pool. Youth!
Strength and Sunshine says
It is such a hassle to put it on, but they will so thank you for it later! It’s so much better to be safe and annoyed than to suffer horrible consequences later!
Erin (@girlgoneveggie) says
I don’t put on sunscreen every time I go out in the sun (I really should) but I do put it on every time I go out in the sun and am staying out in the sun. Skin cancer runs in my family so it kind of terrifies me.
Strength and Sunshine says
They say you should put it on even to just get the mail and run to the store! But I just can’t. I also just hate the feeling of sun tan lotion. It’s so greasy and gross even when they say oil-free π
You should definitely be extra vigilant than! But it’s just one of those things that is so hard for everyone to fulling get committed to π
Tina Muir says
I linked up last week! But you should definitely still keep it up…even if just for you, as it is a great idea! Thanks for the reminder on sunscreen….I am good at it most the time…but not for my runs…Iv very rarely put it on, but I really need to. As for headaches…YES! I need a hat when I am out for a while.
Strength and Sunshine says
I know, thank you for linking-up Tina! (your were one of two :P).
I get burned so easily and always in the same spots. But seriously my scalp is the worst so a hat is so essential!