HOUDAY HINTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 December 1940, Page 4

HOUDAY HINTS

SUNSHINE FOR HEALTH. (Contributed by Health Department). Sun, air, and sea-bathing, help to keep a well person fit, and to restore the weak to health. To' obtain good results a proper procedure must be followed. Take the sun bath as follows: — Early morning is the best time. Take it in an open space, not through glass. Benefit comes partly from cool air acting on the skin. Protect head, back of neck and eyes by large sun hat and goggles. Avoid sunburn as it can be very harmful; aim at tanning. Begin with a small dose, noting the reaction 6-12 hours later, when sunburn becomes apparent. Gradually increase the time, exposing larger areas of the body. When pigmentation (browning) is obtained, usually after a few exposures, the time may safely be .lengthened. (Treatment if sunburn occurs: Mild cases —Calomine Lotion). No not overdo. Symptoms of overdose are fatigue, lassitude, irritability, fever, nausea, or headache after exposure. A feeling of well-being should accompany and follow the sun bath. A safe procedure would be as follows: —First day, five minutes. Expose armstand legs to fullest extent, giving half time to the front and half to the back. Second day, ten minutes. Five minutes arms and legs as before, five minutes whole bodyfront and back. This is simplified by stripping and using a towel to cover the trunk during a portion of the time. Third day: 15 minutes. Whole body—divide time equally back and front: Increase daily by five minutes up to maximum of one hour. Individual reaction is important. You can’t do this by rule of thumb. The very old, the very young, the very debilitated find the very fair (especially: red-haired) burn very much more readily. Very Small Children: Wear short knickers or trunks. Allow to run about in sun for few minutes only, first day. Increase by few minutes daily, watching for sunburn.

The Air Bath: The action of cool air upon the skin is very beneficial, and occurs in the shade as well as in the sun. Once accustomed to exposure to sun and air (in the sunbath) the period of air bathing may be gradually extended, e.g., wearing bathing, suits turned down to waist, trunks, or shorts. Here again the response must be studied. There should be no shivering. The skin should feel warm if the reaction is right.

The Sea Bath: Thfe best time is two to three hours after breakfast, and if a rising tide and sunny day coincide the best results may .be anticipated. The sunbath should precede rather than follow the sea bath, x

Begin with a short period and gradually increase. Dry and dress in a sheltered spot. Do not continue to wear a wet bathing suit. Remember, although sunlight is one of Nature’s most beneficient agents, sunbathing may be not only harmful but actually dangerous. ‘ A healthy tanned skin cannot be obtained in a day or two and too sudden and reckless exposure of the body on »hot beaches Should be avoided. r