A little of sunlight has its benefits: an ideal weather condition for outdoor activities and a healthy influx of spirit-boosting vitamin D. However, it also has a few drawbacks: sunburn and tired feeling.
It might sound counter-intuitive, but lying all day around the sun can be hard work for your body. There are many reasons for this issue. Most of them are biological factors, while the others are typically controllable. Keep reading to find out the underlying causes and how to avoid it.
Why does the sun make you tired?
1. You are dehydrated
When it’s hot, and the sun is beating down on your back, you will sweat more and lose electrolytes, water faster than usual. That might result in dehydration, which could be really exhausting. That is because it increases your blood thickness, meaning that your heart must work faster and harder to carry blood to other areas.
How to avoid it:
The best way to avoid this issue is to drink enough water. Always bring along a water bottle or know where the closest drink fountain is. Eat foods containing high water content like veggies and fruits. In general, there is no one-size-fits-all fluid intake recommendation for everyone, so it is advisable to look at your pee to know what’s going on. You should expect it has a light-yellowish clear tone.
Keep in mind that not all liquids are equal regarding hydration. Many people often cool down with a glass of alcohol, but this only makes the problem worse. Alcohol is typically a diuretic, meaning that it might enhance your dehydration.
But drinking water isn’t enough. You also need to eat some salty snacks like nuts or pretzels, to replace the electrolytes and sodium you are losing. These components play an essential role in regulating the fluid balance in your body and keep it hydrated.
- Read also: Is it better to sleep without a pillow?
2. Your body’s temperature changes
In addition to sweat, changes in the internal temperature of your body can also be a reason for tiredness. Whether it’s cold or hot, your body always works to maintain a stable body temperature. So when the sun comes in, your body has to work harder to regulate the inside temperature. That is really exhausting because it increases the metabolism and requires a lot of energy.
How to avoid it:
Keeping your body cool is a good way to avoid being exhausted by the sun. But this can be a challenging task in the summer.
Keep in mind that the ultraviolet radiation from the sun is strongest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. So it is advisable to minimize outdoor activities during this period to preserve your energy. If you have to be outside, make sure to seek shade as it can help you from feeling drained or overheating.
3. You get sunburned
Whether you’ve applied sunscreen or not, you can get a sunburn after lying or sitting under the sun for hours. Besides a painful feeling, your burn might also cause dehydration and raise your body’s temperature, thus make you exhausting.
How to avoid it:
The best prevention here is to avoid direct sunlight by seeking out shade, limiting outdoor activities during the hottest time of the day, and wear long-sleeve shirts or hat. Of course, you want to spend a few hours on the beach running, swimming, or paddle boarding, but it is essential to choose the right time to avoid harmful UV.
4. It’s the natural effect
Staying in the sun all day long and going out on the sunset naturally cause tiredness. That’s why those people who often go camping go to sleep on their best cooling pillows at 8 p.m. The sunlight suppresses your sleep hormone called melatonin, and then your body generates melatonin as the sun goes down. This effect can be more pronounced and noticeable when you wake up in nature. It is nothing to be worried about. But if you want to keep going, consider keeping the light up at night with bright lights.
How to avoid it:
When you are involved in outdoor physical activities, it is essential not to overextend yourself. This will help you keep a balance in your body’s temperature. Also, take more breaks than usual and take it a bit easier on yourself, whether you are hiking or exercising. Avoid going out during the hottest hours, from 10 a.m to 3 p.m.
Did you like these tips? If so, check out here how to sleep if not tired.
