6 safety tips for a healthy, fun festival season

Whether you’re heading to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, French Quarter Festival, or another event, you can count on having fun in Louisiana during festival season. But all that parading and partying takes a toll if you aren’t caring for yourself and protecting your health.

Live your best fest life with these six health and safety tips from LCMC Health. And keep groovin’ and stompin’ all season long.

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

Bottoms up, y’all! We’re talking H2O, of course. Good hydration is important whether you’ve been drinking alcohol or not. Being outside all day in high temperatures and humidity means your body needs more water—period.

To stay hydrated, carry water with you and drink it throughout the day. If you drink alcohol, alternate each drink with a glass of water. And be on the lookout for signs of dehydration, such as:

• Confusion
• Dark-colored urine
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth or skin
• Extreme thirst
• Fatigue or feeling weak
• Muscle cramps

Dehydration happens when we lose more fluids than we take in, which can affect how we function. Sports drinks with electrolytes may help with mild dehydration. But you should see a medical professional right away for severe cases or if you think a child is dehydrated.

2. Practice sun safety

With our weather, it doesn’t take long for the sun to affect your skin—especially if you’re outside all day. Remember to follow these sun safety tips:

• Dress appropriately, with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and long sleeves and pants, if possible.
• Hang out in the shade when you can.
• Stay inside midday, when the sun is at its peak power.
• Check any medications you take, as some can put you at risk for a severe sunburn.
• Protect your skin with a high-quality SPF sunscreen. And don’t forget the little ones. Choose an option that offers:

• SPF 30 or higher
• Broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays
• Water resistance or waterproofing that stays on longer when swimming or sweating

3. Think clean: wash your hands

Most festivals get pretty crowded, which can mean more germs. Wash your hands often to reduce your chance of getting sick with a respiratory illness or diarrhea. Both are sure to ruin your festival fun.

Wash hands before and after eating, after using the bathroom or changing a diaper, and every time you touch highly used surfaces. You may want to carry hand sanitizer for times when you can’t use soap and water.

At the end of the day, wash your body, too. A clean face can lower your risk of infections, such as pink eye. And keeping your feet clean and dry can prevent athlete’s foot.

4. Know about fall prevention

You don’t want to be the person on their way to the emergency room (ER) because you didn’t pay attention to where you were walking. On average, one in five falls cause a broken bone, head injury, or another serious injury. To prevent falls, first, wear appropriate footwear. Think sturdy tennis shoes or boots instead of flip-flops or heels. Also watch where you’re going as you walk down Bourbon Street.

5. Fuel your body right

Just the thought of festival season makes the mouth water from all the tasty treats. However, even though festival food is delicious, it’s often not very nutritious. And during a long event, you need plenty of nutritious food to fuel your body and give you energy.

Make sure you balance any indulgences with healthy food choices and smart snacking. Try to limit crispy and fried foods and heavy cream sauces. Instead, look for grilled or boiled options. Chicken, seafood, sandwiches, yogurt, and fresh fruit are all great for healthy eating on the go.

6. Rest and pace yourself

Festival season can be a lot of fun, creating positive memories for you, your friends, and family. Just remember—it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Take breaks to rest, relax, or even nap. The amount of sleep you need varies, but most adults need at least seven hours of sleep every night. School-aged children need up to 12 hours of sleep. Too little sleep and too much festival fun can equal grumpy adults and screaming kids. Consider pushing back your arrival time to let the family sleep in, or leave the event early, so bedtimes don’t get thrown off too much.

If you indulge in alcoholic beverages, be smart and responsible. Know your limits, don’t drink on an empty stomach, and have a designated driver that you trust to stay sober.

Year-round primary care

Another way to stay healthy before, during, and after festival season is with a yearly visit to your primary care provider. They can answer questions and help you understand your specific health needs. Schedule a primary care appointment today.