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Summers in Arizona are brutal. While everyone is quick to exclaim that the heat is a “dry heat”, there aren’t many places in the world that get so hot that life struggles to survive and you could cook an egg on the sidewalk.
Having spent the last few years farming in the desert, I’ve had to learn how to adapt to the ferocious summers where temperatures have soared to a record-breaking 117 degrees. In a perfect world, I’d hide in the comfort of air conditioning and tend to my livestock by flashlight. But realistically, I can’t turn into a vampire for an entire season. I seem to have a knack for picking up outdoor projects in the dead of summer and have learned how to live in the heat. Below you will find my list of essentials to enduring & surviving Arizona in the summer:
Tip #1: Stay hydrated.
If you plan to endure an Arizona summer, staying hydrated is key. If you’re anything like me, drinking enough water can feel like an impossible chore on the easiest of days. Add in the searing heat and forget it. I recently started drinking Liquid-IV and you’d be amazed at how much more tolerable the heat is when your body is properly hydrated.
For anyone that hasn’t heard of Liquid-IV, you can think of it as the best way to get the most out of your water intake. Their Hydration Multipliers are designed with Cellular Transport Technology (CTT®️ ) to enhance the rapid absorption of water and other nutrients straight into your bloodstream so that they aren’t lost in the digestive system before your body has a chance to absorb them.
Tip #2: Up your magnesium.
Spending any time outdoors in the Arizona heat can rapidly lead to fatigue. Magnesium is at work in every cell of your body working to convert food into energy, create new proteins, and regulate your nervous system. Healthy adults need about 400 mg per day to help manage stress, migraines, and/or muscle aches and pains. It also gives you a boost in energy when you’re feeling down.
For anyone that hasn’t checked their magnesium levels, I would highly suggest speaking to your practitioner about getting yours tested if you are battling chronic fatigue while spending time in the heat during the summer.
I’ve tried a few creams and supplements but wasn’t happy with how most of them made me feel. I’m a huge fan of JigSaw Health’s MagSRT supplements.
Tip #3: Protect your noggin.
Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime? Start protecting your body from the top down. When the Arizona sun is beaming down on your head, an SPF sunhat can act as a great first line of defense against those rays!
My favorite SPF sunhat is available in seven great colors on Amazon.
Tip #4: Protect your skin.
If you talk to a dozen Arizonans, each of them probably knows someone that has dealt with skin cancer. Yet, so many people do not wear sunscreen daily. Many people complain that sunscreen is too gloopy, sticky, or feels heavy on their skin. If you have sensitive skin like me, some sunscreens can also cause you to break out. I’ve used many different types of sunscreen over the years and my favorite is Supergoop! which is reef-friendly and works well on my skin.
Stay hydrated, gritty, & gold, my friend.
- B
P.S. Tag us on Instagram & tell us your favorite tips for surviving the summer in Arizona.