Health in a Minute | For the Whole Family
Summer Sleep Woes
In the summer, long days are full of fun in the sun, but long nights of tossing and turning are less enjoyable. Here are some tips for getting a good night’s rest in the summer months.
Keep your bedroom cool at night. The ideal sleep temperature is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit for most people. Infants, however, may benefit from rooms that are around 69 degrees Fahrenheit.
Wake up with the sunrise. Choose curtains that allow some sunlight through in the morning. This helps prepare your body to wake up and encourages a healthy sleep schedule.
Choose lightweight fabrics. Breathable fabrics like cotton, silk, and bamboo are ideal for pajamas and bedding in the summer.
Find time to unwind. Longer daylight hours tempt us to be more active in the evening, but it’s best to avoid activities like exercising, drinking alcohol, and eating in the hour before bedtime.
Food Safety Faux Pas to Avoid This Summer
Cookouts are a staple of summertime, but food safety mistakes can spoil the fun. Here are some tips for safely enjoying food outside in the warmer months.
Keep perishable food in a separate cooler from beverages to avoid opening and closing the cooler more than you need to.
Food shouldn’t sit out for more than two hours. If you’re worried about getting caught up in the festivities, set a timer to remind you to pack it up.
Keep hot food above 140 degrees Fahrenheit and cold food below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The middle of that temperature range is the “danger zone” in which harmful bacteria can multiply rapidly.
Avoid cross-contamination by bringing one set of utensils for cooking raw food and another for serving. Make sure you know which is which!
