It’s getting sunnier and brighter outside and spring is in the air. So you go outside and spend a few hours basking in the sun. Then from no where you begin to feel a headache and can’t seem to find any relief. What happened?

Well if you are not used to the sun’s heat and brightness, it is better to take some precautions because overexposure can cause your body temperature to rise and dilate the blood vessels in the brain causing a headache.

So what should you do?

• First, limit your exposure to the sun between 10am and 3pm when the sun's rays are most intense.

• Next, wear white clothing to allow the sun's rays to reflect away and keep the body cooler. Dark clothing will absorb heat and cause dehydration.

• Third, a light colored hat to protect your head and also use sunglasses to prevent the eyes from straining when it is too bright.

But let’s say you already have a headache from too much sun or worse you have a migraine, what can you do then?

• Get in a shady & cool place, and drink spring water.

• Take a slightly cool shower to reduce the body temperature.

• Lie down and place a wet, cold cloth on your forehead. To reduce the puffiness around the eyes, brew some tea bags (such as chamomile or black tea). Let it cool and squeeze the excess water from them before placing on your closed eyes.

• If any of the above does not work, take a nap to help your body relax and reset back to normal temperature.

I love the sun as much as anybody, but a great deal of respect needs to be taken at the same time.

Please pass this around to your family and friends who may be feeling the same way.