Beat the heat: Four tips to stay active and safe this summer

Exercise is crucial to your health. It can boost your mood, help you sleep better at night and improve your heart health. However, it's important to be safe when you're active.

Depending on where you live, you may experience high temperatures and humidity in the summer, which can increase your risk of heat-related illnesses. With the right precautions, you can continue to get exercise during even the warmest months.

VA offers a suite of virtual care tools and resources to help keep you healthy.

1. Start or end your day with movement. Heat, humidity and pollution are usually most intense at midday. Plan your workout routine for the morning and evening when temperatures are cooler. Use Annie for Veterans messaging reminders to stay active. To subscribe to Annie, text "SUB BODY" to 75338.
2. Keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of liquids before, during and after your workout. Working out in the heat and humidity can put you at risk for dehydration, heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses. Set and track hydration goals, and other health goals, on the Live Whole Health app. The app is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
3. Use the VA Health Chat app to get quick answers to your health questions. If you experience pain or unusual symptoms during exercise, it's important to listen to your body-and to a health care professional. Use VA Health Chat to talk with VA staff about how the heat may be affecting your health and what changes you can make to stay safe. VA Health Chat can be accessed through the VA App Store, the Apple App Store or Google Play. Veterans experiencing urgent health problems should contact 911.
4. Incorporate aquatic exercises into your fitness regimen. Outdoor and indoor pools offer a great way to stay cool while working out. Water aerobics, swimming or deep-water walking are gentle on your joints and get your heart pumping. Find new workouts on the MOVE! Coach app, available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

If you plan to begin a new exercise routine or you have specific questions about your medical condition, it's important to speak with your VA provider. They can determine whether you should take any special precautions to stay cool while you're building up a sweat this summer.