Yesterday, I went hiking with some friends – on the Douglas Fir trail – in Calgary. It was great to be outdoors again, with friends, as we all try to leave behind the covid 19 saga. Being my first time on this trail, I did not know what to expect. It ended up being a two-hour hike, on challenging terrain, and we clocked in at over 13,000 steps. We had a fantastic time!
With July being one of the hottest months of the year, I dressed up as I normally would, when going for a long and brisk evening walk. I put on my long-sleeved breathable sports top, my comfy breathable pants, my runners, my sun glasses, a wide brimmed hat, some bug repellant, and last but not the least – sunscreen for my face and neck! I also had a bottle of water to hydrate along the way. And, just in case you are wondering why I usually choose to wear a long-sleeved top and pants instead of a sleeveless top and a pair of shorts, since it was quite hot at about 25℃? The primary reason is to reduce my risk for chronic disease.
According to the Canadian cancer society, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Canada, with ultra-violet (UV) rays causing up to 90% of skin cancer cases in North America1. Skin cancer symptoms show up as a change in your skin, that can include a new growth, a sore that refuses to heal, and a change in an old growth2. However, skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer1, which you can prevent by:
- Seeking shade when the sun’s rays are the strongest, which is usually between 11am and 3pm, and any time of day when UV index is above 3; shade could include staying indoors, sitting under a tree, sitting on a patio, or using an umbrella
- Wearing loose-fitting, tightly woven long-sleeved clothing and pants, or clothing that is labelled with UV protection factor; because studies show that clothes protect you better than sunscreen
- Wearing a wide-brimmed hat that covers your head, face, neck and ears; providing some protection from UV rays
- Using a generous amount of broad-spectrum sunscreen, with SPF 30 or higher, in addition to the above three recommendations; not instead of them
- Wearing medium to dark lens sunglasses that have 100% UV (UVA and UVB) protection
The secondary reason for which I use long sleeved tops and pants, is to prevent bug bites – especially mosquito bites. Until a few years ago, I was unaware that there was anything like allergy to mosquitoes, with bites that would result in big and itchy bumps that were so irritating and uncomfortable for up to 4 days later. Last year, when I started reacting to mosquito bites this way, I wasted no time in covering myself up when I went for walks. Not going for my daily brisk walks was not an option. In addition to my long-sleeved tops and pants, that wick away perspiration and keeps me cool, I have also learned to use lavender essential oil – mixed in with my sunscreen – to prevent mosquito bites on my face, neck and other exposed skin.
Why is this important? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some types of mosquitos can spread viruses that can cause disease and CDC recommends using insect repellants and covering up with long-sleeved shirts and pants3. This combination of long-sleeved clothing, pants and lavender oil, has worked really well for me and has also made my daily evening 1-hour brisk walks much more enjoyable.
So, the next time you are out to enjoy what is left of the 2021 summer season, and subsequent years, be mindful of how you dress to soak in all of the sun’s glory. You just may be keeping disease far away from you, by the way you dress. Be mindful that as you protect your skin, which no longer belongs to you -but to Christ, you are reducing the potential for downtime from disease, that you might otherwise accrue, as you work for the Lord.
Have a brilliant week!
References
- Be sun safe – Canadian Cancer Society
- https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/symptoms.htm
- Mosquito Bites: Everyone is at Risk! | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC
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