By Christine Schroeder, MOT, OTR/L

“Hello Summer…Hello Sunshine!”

Well, there were moments when we thought it may never arrive, but summer is here and in full swing! (YES!!! Finally ;) Hopefully, you have had a chance to get out and enjoy a little of the sunshine and beautiful temps so far…..

Summer is full of so many fun opportunities….vacations, swimming, camping, boating, picnics, bike rides, gardening, long walks/runs. The list could go on and on. However, one common element surfaces across all these fun activities….the sun.

I know we’ve heard it over and over again….”remember the sunscreen!” but if your kids are like mine, they don’t always remember it OR, at the very least, they’ll complain about it as you struggle to “lather them up” as they wiggle and squirm, anxious to run off and swim, etc. (And you only realize hours later which spots you missed as you see red streaks on those hard to reach places on their skin….)

But the threat is real. Take a moment to review these quick facts from the Skin Cancer Foundation:

• “More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined.”

• “One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.”

• “One person dies of melanoma every hour.”

• “On average, a person's risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had more than five sunburns.”

• “Regular daily use of an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing melanoma by 50 percent.”

• “Men age 49 and under have a higher probability of developing melanoma than any other cancer.”

• “From ages 15 to 39, men are 55 percent more likely to die of melanoma than women in the same age group.”

• “Women age 49 and under are more likely to develop melanoma than any other cancer except breast and thyroid cancers.”

• “An estimated 90 percent of skin aging is caused by the sun.”

• “People who use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher daily show 24 percent less skin aging than those who do not use sunscreen daily.”

“Sun damage is cumulative. Only about 23 percent of lifetime exposure occurs by age 18”

Click here for skin cancer facts and statistics.

These facts aren’t meant to scare or depress you. The sun is also our friend. A little sunshine not only naturally lifts our spirits but also gives us some much needed Vitamin D. So, just remember…knowledge is power. (And don’t forget to keep a bottle of sunscreen handy wherever you go this summer! ;)

“If you think the summer sun is too hot, just remember, at least you don’t have to shovel it.” – Bob Dylan

Click below to read more about how to choose the best sunscreen and some fun ways to burn calories this summer:

Click for Choose the right sunscreen

Click for What's the best suncreen?

Click for 32 fun ways to burn calories

As always, feel free to give us a call anytime to set up your free 15 minute consultation to learn more about how to become the healthier you!

CLICK HERE for Christine's previous columns

Healthe Habits for Living
Ellerbrock Spine and Soft Tissue
120 N Main St. Suite A
Bluffton, OH 45817
Phone: 419-358-2222