Enjoy This Week’s Issue of CommonHealth Weekly Wellnote

Please the latest edition of CommonHealth Weeky Wellnote, brought to you by the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) and NOVA HR.

Tips for exercising in hot weather
Exercising in hot weather increases our body temperature. Sure, our bodies have built-in cooling systems that help us adjust to heat. That’s why we perspire. But this natural cooling system can fail if we’re exposed to soaring temperatures for too long.

Tip #1 – Drink Up
To keep cool, make sure first of all that you’re drinking plenty of water. While you’re exercising, drink 8 to 10 ounces of water every 20 minutes. After exercise, drink more – at minimum, another 8 ounces.

Tip # 2 – Ease Up
If you’re used to working out in cooler climates, take it easy at first. Just accept the fact that you can’t do what you normally do.  If you’re a brisk walker, slow it down. Remember that even a 20-minute workout has positive health effects. It’s the number of days you exercise that matters most. Frequency of days far outweighs the amount of time of any given exercise session.

Tip # 3 – Avoid the hottest part of the day
Rise early to catch the cool of the morning, or go out at sunset or later. In the heat of midday, take cover under shade.

Tip # 4 – Wear light colored, lightweight clothing 
Dark colors absorb the heat, which can make you feel as if you’re wrapped in a warm blanket. Heavyweight, tight-fitting clothing will also heat you up. Keep it loose. Keep it light. More air will be able to circulate over your skin, keeping you cool.

For more inspiring tips and advice please check out: CommonHealth’s Tips for an Active Lifestyle Stay Well!

If you have questions regarding this week’s communication or the CommonHealth program, please reach out to your respective campus coordinator below:

Alexandria-Kathy Clement or Najeeb Baha
Annandale-Regina Sanders
Fairfax/College Staff-Angel Mori
Loudoun-Gert Heslin
Manassas-ThuyTien Ngo-Nguyen
Springfield Medical Education Campus (MEC)-Corrine House
Woodbridge-Georgette Harris

Submitted by:
Charlotte Calobrisi, AVP of HR, CCalobrisi@nvcc.edu