Author: admin

 

Besides being a great low-impact activity, biking is also one of the most popular ways to get around Wrightsville Beach and Figure 8 Island. When the bridge becomes backed up from beach traffic, you can hop on your bike and breeze right by. If you’re staying on the beach, you can rent one and easily travel to any of the local restaurants to grab a bite to eat.

Because bikes are becoming a big trend for millennials such as myself, there are a variety of bike types to choose from. For those of us who are more experienced, a trip to a local bike shop can help you find the perfect bike to fit your needs. But, if you’re like me, a beach cruiser is the preferred starter bike in Wrightsville Beach. To make it more versatile, a basket in the front can help you carry personal items to your destination, or assist you in bringing home groceries.

It’s important that I emphasize bike safety in and around Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach. If you travel on the roads, you’re held to the same traffic laws as the cars around you.  Stay by the edge of the road so that motorists can pass you if they choose. And, of course, wear a helmet.

Luckily, Wrightsville Beach and Figure 8 Island are very bike friendly places. Almost everyone I know has a bike; it’s such an easy, energy efficient way to travel.  It’s definitely my favorite way to get around the island! So when you are on vacation, stop by SurfBerry and rent one of our high quality Jamis Beach Cruiser bike rentals and enjoy everything Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach and Figure 8 Island has to offer!

Staying hydrated when you work out is a no brainer, but many of us forget to do so in any type of activity in the hot heat of summer. The romanticized idea of sweet summertime relaxation may not only be attributed to a vacation from books and exams for students (is anything better?) but may also be something scientific, as our bodies work overtime to stay cool as temperatures rise.

Walking through the Southern summer humidity in Wilmington can feel like you’re swimming in soup. The typically mild climate gives way to highs in the 80s and 90s, and just a quick walk from your car to the indoors is enough to make you thankful for those industrial-sized air conditioning units in Target. Growing up in Raleigh, sweat was a natural part of summer, and as I’ve become more knowledgeable about health I’ve realized how important it is to stay hydrated during these months.

Your body sweats as part of its thermoregulation system – think of it like your body’s thermostat, carefully monitoring temperature in the room of your body and maintaining a healthy climate. When you get hot, sweating helps you cool off by pushing sweat to the surface of your skin where it will evaporate, creating a cooling effect. In the process, however, you lose potassium, sodium, and, of course, water.

According to the article “Staying Hydrated – Staying Healthy” from the American Heart Association, getting enough fluids, whether or not you’re exercising, is crucial to personal health. Just sitting on the beach in your chair reading your new favorite book can make you sweat, particularly if you’re in direct sunlight. If you’re sweating, you need more fluids. Period. This goes for everyone, from athletes, who also need to refuel with healthy foods and vitamins after intense training, to beachgoers.

And don’t wait to grab a bottle of water until you’re thirsty – that means your body is already dehydrated. While plain old water does the trick, if you like some flavor with what you drink, some great alternatives include coconut and flavored water.

In the article, John Batson, M.D. also says that drinking plenty of water can help you stay heart healthy, too. Being hydrated helps your heart pump, pushing blood to your muscles so that they work and heal properly. Plus, Batson says, it helps your muscles remove waste in the process.

Even if I’m just running errands, I like to carry a reusable bottle of water and ice with me. Staying hydrated and fueled in the heat keeps my energy up and my mind happy. So this summer, when you’re out in the heat, remember grab a bottle of water as you go. Your thermoregulation system – and your health – will thank you.