When the cold winter months set in and your ski vacation is just around the corner, it’s a good idea to get ready for the slopes. While you’re keen to hit the slopes and get some fresh air, it’s not always easy to prepare for a skiing holiday. One of the most common problems when skiing is that of overheating. You may find that your body overheats when skiing runs that are longer than what you’re used to or when you push yourself too hard while on holiday. This is caused by the excessive use of your body’s natural heat rather than the heat generated by the cold air when it hits your skin. Your body’s natural heat is the heat that you generate from metabolising food and from normal daily activities such as walking, talking, and breathing. This natural heat is often referred to as your body’s temperature. When your body temperature becomes too high, it affects your performance on the slopes as you become sluggish and less coordinated. Essentially, you’re not operating at your best and could end up with injuries or even death. This is why you need to be careful not to overheat when skiing so that you can still enjoy the experience without risking your health or safety. How can you prevent this dangerous state? By being mindful of your body’s temperature when skiing and by preparing accordingly. This article will teach you how to stop heatgain and over-heatment when skiing so that you can remain safe and at your best.
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Reduce Dietary Omega-6 Fat
One of the primary causes of your body’s temperature becoming raised when skiing is the food that you consume. What you put into your body affects your body negatively in multiple ways. When you eat food that is high in fats and carbohydrates, your body will store these substances as fuel. When your body gets enough fuel, it will begin to produce more heat than usual which is why you need to watch your food intake. The fats and carbohydrates that you eat will be converted into glycogen which is stored in the liver as fuel. The liver, in turn, releases glucose into the bloodstream which, after a trip to the mitochondria (the energy producing part of the cell), causes the creation of more free radicals. These are molecules that have a single electron which in turn, makes them highly unstable and reactive. When these free radicals are not removed by antioxidants in sufficient amounts, they can damage the DNA of the cell which then results in potentially fatal mutations. Your body needs a lot of fuel to generate the amount of energy that you expend while skiing so make sure that you eat plenty of foods that provide this energy such as beef, pork, chicken, turkey, and seafood. These foods contain high levels of fats and proteins both of which contribute to your body’s temperature when skiing. Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts are also rich in antioxidants which help protect you from the damage that can be caused by free radicals. Try to stay away from food items that are fried in oil as these contain a massive amount of fats which increase your body’s temperature when skiing. Instead, opt for foods that are grilled, baked, or steamed since these are healthier options that do not contain the same amount of fats. Grilled meats and fish are two of the best sources of vitamin D that you can get which is important for your immune system and for calcium absorption. Make sure to include these types of foods on your holiday menu if you want to stay healthy and feel your best while skiing. Eating a diet rich in natural carbs such as fruits and vegetables will also increase your body’s temperature when skiing since these are easily absorbed by the body’s cells and are immediately converted into energy. While you don’t need to deprive yourself of carbohydrates and fats while on holiday, you do need to be careful not to overdo it and put yourself in a state of toxaemia which is a life-threatening condition that can occur when you have high levels of sugars in your blood. Toxaemia is associated with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease and people who suffer from it cannot have their blood glucose levels regulated by insulin. When you have too much sugar in your blood it interferes with the proper functioning of your nerve endings and causes you to feel sluggish and fatigued. This, in turn, affects your skiing experience as you will not be at your best and could get injured or even sick.
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking sufficient amounts of water is essential to staying healthy while skiing. Your body needs sufficient levels of fluids in order to function properly and be at its best. While it is easy enough to get dehydrated when skiing, it’s not always easy to recognise the signs of dehydration. One of the best ways of staying hydrated while on a ski holiday is by drinking sufficient amounts of water daily. It is also advisable to drink more during the day than at night in order to keep your body hydrated all night long. This is especially important if you plan to be outside at night since being dehydrated can make you much more susceptible to the cold. The sun’s heat can also make you dehydrate quickly so make sure to drink plenty of fluids when outdoors during the day. If you are not properly hydrated, you are more likely to overheat and experience a range of negative health effects. It is also advisable to pack some hydrating salts in your bag in case you are not near a water source and cannot drink to satiation. This way, you will stay hydrated and at your best while skiing. Throwing off even a small amount of the water that you drink can lead to serious health problems so make sure that you replace it promptly. You should drink at least 16 ounces for every hour that you spend outdoors in order to avoid any problems. The best way to drink 16 ounces is by taking a swig from a water bottle every hour or two during the day. Throwing down a huge glass of water in one hit can also do the trick but make sure to drink plenty of fluids daily in order to avoid any dehydration issues. Your urine should be a light yellow or straw-coloured in colour, neither of which is a sign of dehydration. If you are dehydrated, your urine will be darker in colour and can even appear black in certain situations. While you are on holiday and if it’s a warm climate where you are staying, you need to drink at least 16 ounces of water for every hour that you spend outdoors. This is to prevent your body temperature from rising and to make sure that you remain healthy and at your best while on holiday. You should drink a lot more fluids in the summer months since heat and humidity increase the amount of fluids that you need in order to stay hydrated.
Use Sunscreen
Apart from keeping you warm, the sun’s ultraviolet rays can also cause you to overheat when skiing. When you ski, you are often below the clouds and consequently, are subjected to more of the sun’s rays than when you are above the clouds. Using sunscreen every day before you head for the slopes can shield your skin from the sun’s damage and keep your body hydrated. The Australian skincare company, Neutrogena, makes a range of products that are ideal for use during ski season. One of the best and most popular products that they make is the UV Protection Cream. This product is a great choice for anyone planning to be in the sun a lot while on holiday since it offers broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection in a water-soluble, non-greasy texture. This product is ideal for those who want to avoid being burned by the sun’s UV rays since it offers protection throughout the day and does not clog pores. The best part about this product is that it is designed to be used daily and does not have any irritating ingredients. This means that you can use it every day and not worry about it going bad or causing you problems in the long term. The UV Protection Cream is a great choice for those who want to soak up the sun’s rays while on holiday and not worry about their health in the process. It seems that sunscreen is important if you want to remain healthy and at your best while on holiday so make sure to apply it every day before you head for the slopes. Applying sunscreen after you have already gone down the mountain can also do wonders for your health since it prevents your skin from overheating in the first place. This is why it’s important not to remove your sunscreen once you have applied it – it protects your skin from the damaging effects of the sun’s rays throughout the whole day and even after your last downhill run.