With warm weather upon us, it's important that you take some precautions when exercising in the heat. These tips will help:

• Exercise during the cooler or less humid times of day such as early morning or evening.
• Reduce the intensity of your exercise for a week until you're adapted to the heat.
• Drink lots of fluids, especially water, before, during and after exercising.
• If you exercise very vigorously for a long period in the heat, increase your salt intake a little.
• Wear loose-fitting, light clothes.

You should also be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke:

Heat exhaustion:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Body temperature below normal

Heat stroke:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Thirst
• Muscle cramps
• No sweating
• High body temperature

These conditions are rare; heat stroke is the more serious of the two. Both can be avoided by drinking plenty of liquids to replace what is lost during exercise.

Related information Lifestyle Changes: Exercise