Wellness Tips to Survive AirVenture

AirVenture is an exciting event, but it can be exhausting.  Here are some tips to keep you healthy throughout the week. 

Sleep

It’s easy to take sleep for granted with all that occurs at AirVenture.  When you sleep your body gets to work repairing itself. Sleep strengthens your immunity, energizes you and boots your alertness. Also, receiving enough sleep every day can reduce one’s risk of sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia and restless legs syndrome and can reduce one’s risk of heart disease. Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night. 

To help you achieve enough hours of sleep during AirVenture, below are 10 of 20 tips for better sleep brought to you by WebMD.  To check out all 20 tips and with further understanding go to the complete article by selecting this link “The Benefits of a Good Night’s Sleep.” 

• Ban Blue Light in the Bedroom - Turn off TVs, computers, and other blue light producers an hour before sleep. Cover any blue displays you can't shut off.
• Avoid Naps - When an afternoon slump hits, go for a short walk, drink a glass of ice water, or call a friend.
• Block the Clock - Use black tape for the blue LED digital clocks on the bedroom DVR.
• Try a Leg Pillow for Back Pain - Back sleepers can tuck a pillow under their knees to help ease pain at night.
• Put Your Neck in Neutral - Keep your neck neutral before bed, too. Don't crane your neck to watch TV.
• Seal the Mattress - Air-tight, plastic, dust proof covers work best.
• Reserve the Bed for Sleep - The best sleep temperature for most people is on the cool side--below 76 degrees.
• Set Your Body Clock - Get out in bright light for five to 30 minutes as soon as you rise. Light is the most powerful regulator of the biological clock.
• Cut the Caffeine - Read labels: Some pain relievers and weight loss pills contain caffeine.
• Exercise Right, Time It Right - Gentle mind/body exercises are fine just before sleep. Yoga, tai chi, and similar routines are a perfect, sleep-inducing nightcap.

Hydration

Drinking water is essential for your health.  It’s even more important during the summer and when we are all working on the grounds for AirVenture. 

On average, adults lose almost 10 cups of water a day simply by sweating, breathing and going to the bathroom.  You also lose electrolytes, which are vital because they help maintain the balance of fluids in the body.  When you become dehydrated, your body cannot function, possibly resulting in heat stroke or even death. 

Be on the lookout for these symptoms when dehydrated:

• Excessive thirst
• Sleepiness or tiredness
• Dry mouth
• Muscle weakness
• Headache
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t ignore them.  Take a break and give yourself time to recover.

The best defense against dehydration is prevention.  Consume lots of fluids and foods high in water such as fruits and vegetables. Avoid coffee or soda in hot weather. The amount of water intake has many factors that varies from person to person.  The best approach is to stay hydrated and continue drinking even if you don’t feel thirsty.  To gauge how well-hydrated you are, simply look at your urine. It should be fairly clear, and if it is very dark yellow, that’s sign we may need to drink more water.  Stay hydrated and be safe!

Sun Exposure                         

Is there a sun at AirVenture?  Sometimes, so you need to protect yourself from the sun.

Here are some tips for reducing sun exposure:

• The sun is hottest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., so use sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher
• Use a lip balm that offers protection from the sun
• Wear clothes with tightly woven fabric and a hat that shades your face, neck, and ears
• Wear sunglasses whenever you are in the sun
• Apply sunscreen every two hours when you’re outside
• Re-apply the sunscreen after swimming or sweating

Stress

As exciting and fun as AirVenture is, sometimes stress can interfere with our happiness. Good news is that stress is manageable.

Practice these following tips on managing stress:

• Plan and prioritize – Set realistic deadlines.  Always have an alternative plan in mind. 
• Focus on what you can control – Create a to-do list to prioritize your work. Then break your larger tasks into smaller, more doable tasks
• Slow down – Think things through before you act, and begin with a clear goal in mind. 
• Think outside the box – If you become overwhelmed, search for alternative ways to get the job done.
• Use all your resources – Learn to effectively delegate work you cannot handle.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
• Take a break – Make time to take a break by taking a walk or sharing your situation with another person may help gain a fresh perspective.

Relieving stress is all about relaxing your mind and your body. 

• Mind
  • Write things down when you are stressed
  • Do something you enjoy
  • Focus on the present by meditating or use guided imagery
  • Body
    • Exercise
    • Try breathing exercises
    • Progressive muscle relaxation techniques
    • Practice yoga to relax
    • Massage therapy

There are many ways to relieve stress.  Find out what works best for you!