Although it hasn’t felt much like it thus far, what with all the rain, summer is the season of fun. Spending time outdoors, adventuring to new places and having a good time with friends and family make up the definition of summer to many of us. It’s important to make sure that while we are making this summer the most memorable one yet, we are also staying healthy.

One of the most common health concerns during the summer months is sunburns. While sunburns are completely preventable with the use of sunscreen, applied evenly and often and covering up with clothing, many people still get them. Once you get a sunburn, the most important thing to do is begin treatment immediately. Act quickly, moisturize and hydrate are three tips for treatment provided by the Skin Cancer Association website. The website also states to, “Take a dose of ibuprofen, for example, Advil as soon as you see signs of sunburn and keep it up for the next 48 hours.” But, again, to avoid having to treat a sunburn, apply sunscreen when you know you’ll be in the sun an extensive amount of time and you should be okay.

We are all going to go to at least one barbecue or block party this summer, especially around the fourth of July. Choosing healthy, fun summer meals to make or bring will make it easier to go back for a second (or third) plate without losing your summer bod. Incorporating summer vegetables and fruits, like berries, melons, squashes and avocados, to your dishes will not only add color, but they also provide vitamins, minerals and low calorie deliciousness.

Another aspect of summer health that cannot be stressed enough is to know the signs of heat exhaustion. With all the extra time in the sun, the body needs more fuel to keep it going. “Normally, the body cools itself by sweating. But if you are exposed to high temperatures for a long time and don’t replace the fluids you lose, the body systems that regulate temperature become overwhelmed,” as stated by the University of Maryland Medical Center. Delayed treatment can result in a heat stroke, which can be life threatening. To avoid getting the symptoms of heat exhaustion, make sure to keep fluids with you when you are out in the heat and to get out of the sun if you start to feel dizzy, extremely thirsty and sweating or have nausea.

Having fun during the summer is important. Staying healthy is also important and it’s not hard to do both. Incorporating good health tactics into your summer fun will only make it better.