HEALTH & FITNESS

Everybody in the Pool! CONT.

1. Rethink swimming and age.

Jilian says they teach everyone from babies to people in their 80s. “There’s no right or wrong age for swim lessons or gaining confidence in the water,” she adds. To become proficient, Mary estimates about three months of lessons a few times a week.

2. Use the buddy system to watch your swimmers.

Take turns watching your kids or group, especially in a crowded pool or in the Gulf. Even if there’s a lifeguard, Mary points out, “their eyes can’t be on everybody and every situation.”

3. Use the buddy system to swim.

You shouldn’t swim or dive on your own. “If you do swim laps at home by yourself, be smart about it,” says Jilian. She suggests bringing your phone to the edge of the pool or being able to tap your smartwatch to send a text or call 911 if you start feeling out of breath or lightheaded.

4. Take a CPR course.

It’s easier than ever to learn CPR. “There’s a lot of options out there,” says Jilian. You can find courses both in person and online. Then, Jilian explains, “if something happens, you’re able to step in.”

5. Keep calm.

If you or someone else gets into trouble in the water, it’s vital to be prepared and stay levelheaded. “If somebody gets hurt, if somebody’s actively drowning, it’s about the instinct kicking in and not panicking,” Jilian says. “Know you have the skills to respond, or that you have the ability to get yourself out of that situation.”

SKIN CARE

SUNSCREEN SMARTS

Sunscreen is vital for healthy skin, but how do you choose the right one? First, understand the two main types. “Chemical sunscreens use various chemicals to absorb UV light, whereas the physical or mineral ones use metal oxides like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide,” explains Dr. Keith A. Harris, a board-certified dermatologist at Harris Dermatology (harrisdermatology.com), which has locations in Fort Myers and Naples. “They both do the same thing; they just do it in different ways.”

Chemical sunscreens tend to blend better, but their ingredients can be absorbed into the bloodstream—though Harris points out that no negative effects have yet been found. Mineral sunscreens aren’t absorbed into the blood, but often leave a white sheen on the skin. Harris says what really matters is using a sunscreen that is water-resistant, broad-spectrum (meaning it protects against UVA and UVB rays), and at least SPF 30.

Check if your sunscreen fits those requirements or try one of these:

1Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50 from Colorescience comes in four shades and can be brushed onto your bare face or over makeup. Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, this mineral sunscreen includes antioxidants and hyaluronic acid to protect and hydrate your skin. (colorescience.com) First sold in Cocoa Beach, Australian Gold offers a variety of sunscreens containing ingredients from Australia. Its Plant

Based SPF 50 Lotion

offers chemical sun protection while nourishing your skin with coconut oil and aloe vera. (australiangold.com)

2

Bare Republic’s Mineral SPF 50 Sport Sunscreen Spray in Vanilla Coco provides 3 a fully mineral sunscreen in an easy-to-use spray bottle. This reef-friendly, dye-free sunscreen that’s made in the U.S. also includes hydrating grape and carrot seed oils. (gobareoutside.com)

RECIPE

Watermelon Sorbet

Staying hydrated is a must during the hot summer months, but chugging water can get old quickly. Fruits and vegetables like watermelon, strawberries, oranges, and zucchini offer a tastier way to keep your thirst at bay. Plus, as registered dietitian/sports nutritionist Barbara Lewin (sports-nutritionist.com) points out, they offer nutrients like potassium and fiber. At 90 percent water, watermelon helps you hydrate while providing antioxidants and vitamin C, as well as possibly benefiting muscle soreness and heart health.

Whether you go for watermelon or straight water, Lewin emphasizes that by the time you feel thirsty, you’re already on your way to being dehydrated. “It’s important to drink throughout the day,” she says. Watermelon can be used in salads, blended into a drink, or made into a sorbet.

Here is Lewin’s tasty and refreshing w a t e r m e l o n s o r b e t r e c i p e :

INGREDIENTS

2 cups of chopped, seeded, cold watermelon 1 large ripe banana, chilled 1 tbsp. lime juice

DIRECTIONS

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Freeze in 4-ounce individual dessert cups for the adults or popsicle molds for the kids.

HEALTH Bubble Travel

You can take precautions to help keep yourself and others safe—or wait just a little longer to start traveling again. If you choose to travel, Naples-based infectious disease specialist Dr. Gary Bergen recommends getting vaccinated and waiting two weeks after the final dose to build up full protection. If you plan to fly on a commercial plane, you can follow these safety measures:

• Keep your mask on • Frequently wash your hands or use hand sanitizer • Stay socially distanced as much as possible • Skip situations where you might remove your mask around other travelers, such as airport restaurants

Consider a “bubble travel” itinerary to areas practicing extra safety precautions. Recent destinations by Naya Traveler include Mexico, St. Martin, and Marrakesh, Morocco.

B e r g e n s u g g e s t s c h e c k i n g S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s a n d a v o i d i n g a r e a s w i t h s u r g i n g c a s e c o u n t s o r v i r u s v a r i a n t s . T r a v e l s e r v i c e s c a n h e l p y o u m e e t a n y C O V I D - 1 9 t e s t i n g o r o t h e r r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r y o u r t r i p . O n e s e r v i c e , N a y a T r a v e l e r ( n a y a t r a v e l e r . c o m ) , a l s o o f f e r s s p e c i a l “ b u b b l e t r a v e l ” i t i n e r a r i e s t o a r e a s p r a c t i c i n g e x t r a s a f e t y m e a s u r e s , w i t h r e c e n t d e s t i n a t i o n s i n c l u d i n g R i v i e r a N a y a r i t i n M e x i c o , S t . M a r t i n i n t h e C a r i b b e a n , a n d M a r r a k e s h i n M o r o c c o .

PLAY

Sand Sensations

Next time you go to the beach, don’t just watch your kids play in the sand—join them. “Learning how to play, for many adults, is just as important as work,” explains Dianne Durante, a marriage and family therapist at Anchor Counseling in Naples. It can also help kids develop key life skills. Sand “changes, just like we change,” Durante notes. When a structure crumbles, “we can help kids learn how to handle when things don’t go the way they want them to.” Younger kids also develop hand-eye coordination as they carry, pour, and shape sand. “It’s a whole-body experience; that’s what makes it so healthy,” Durante points out.

If you need new sand toys, companies like Pufferfish (pufferfish.fun) offer durable options made from upcycled fishing nets and recycled plastic. Sand castles are a staple, but Durante recommends encouraging kids to get creative with a sand dollhouse or a racetrack. When a wave washes it away, it’ll be time to build something new. (diannedurante.com)