Finally, the mercury is rising and the temperature is hotting up. Summer is upon us! The days are longer, the birds are tweeting and the sun is out. There’s much to be grateful for as we make our way through June, and the mood lifting effects of the bright yellow ball in the sky are at the top of the list for many.

There’s no doubt that winter has been hard on us all – and that’s not just because of the grotty weather. We’ve been stuck indoors, with days out and trips away cancelled. So, the relative freedom, coupled with the glorious climate means there’s a festival feeling sweeping the UK.

It’s all down to serotonin – one of the so-called ‘happy hormones’. Sunny spells increase our serotonin levels, which in turn boost our mood and improve our feelings of wellbeing and happiness. There’s science behind why the sun makes us smile!

But while we’re enjoying the fun associated with the hot weather, it’s important to do so safely.

The NHS recommends applying a good sunscreen every two hours, and Karis Betts, health information manager at Cancer Research UK suggests: “Sun safety is not just for when you’re going abroad, the sun can be strong enough to burn in the UK from the start of April to the end of September, so it’s important that people are protecting themselves properly. We want to encourage people to protect their skin from UV damage by seeking shade, covering up and regularly applying sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and four or five stars.”

It’s also sensible to do what we can to stay cool. As well as avoiding sunburn, you want to keep heatstroke and other sun-related complaints at bay too.

Here’s how, with our 6 Simple Steps to Keeping Cool This Summer.

Stay hydrated – Sipping chilled water regularly throughout the day helps keep your body temperature in check and fights off possible heat exhaustion and dehydration.

Close the curtains – It may seem obvious, but keeping the house cool is a huge help when the heat outside becomes too much. Open the windows, but draw the blinds.

Wear your training gear – Yep. The stuff we wear to work-out is designed to wick away sweat and get air to our bodies. It’s light-weight, stretchy and super comfortable too.

Carry a spray mist with you – For instant freshness on the go, make sure you have a mist on hand. Use on your face, neck, arms and back of your legs to liven yourself up and reinvigorate your senses. Try the Oxygen Mist Revitalising Spray from ClearO2.

Check the forecast – And adjust your day accordingly. Save outside jobs and exercise for when the sun’s winding down.

Take action with ice – Keep an ice pack in the freezer. When the heat starts to rise, wrap it in a towel and pop it on the back of your neck for 10 minutes.

And remember, we live in the UK, the sun will be back behind the clouds before we know it, so make the most if it while you can.

For more information on staying safe in the sun, read our previous blog; How To Get More Vitamin D Without Damaging Your Skin.