Here's Why Spending Time In The Sun Makes You So Tired
Lifestyle - News
By SOPHIE MCEVOY
When you find yourself with nothing to do on a gorgeous sunny day, not a lot can stop you from basking in the warm glow outside. To prepare for the higher than average summer heat, here's how to better understand why higher temperatures can leave you feeling so exhausted.
Heat triggers several chain reactions that help cool your body down, including vasodilation, which occurs when blood vessels widen to allow heat to be carried closer to the skin by your blood, assisting in thermal regulation. Perspiration can cause dehydration since your body expels liquid through your skin to lower your core temperature.
Both processes take up a lot of energy and can leave you feeling pretty fatigued. "A lot of tiredness stems from dehydration and vasodilation. You lose some of your core fluid and blood circulating in your gut and brain because your body is instead trying to work on cooling you down," family and sports medicine doctor Dr. Ashwin Rao states.
There are several strategies to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and it all comes down to planning ahead of time. If you're going to be out in the sun on a hot day, remain hydrated and avoid diuretics like coffee and alcohol, and remember to wear sunscreen and stay in the shade as much as possible.