Summer, summer, summertime…. Time to sit back and unwind…

Today, London is expected to hit 33’ C. That’s around 91’ for our friends across the world using Fahrenheit instead of Celsius, making today the hottest day of 2016 so far in the UK. 

As Brits, we wait all year for our few days of summer. We can’t wait to light up the barbecue, pour a jug of Pimms, press play on the iPod to Summertime by Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, and listen to the Fresh Prince's new definition of summer madness… 

Social media will be flooded with either those complaining that it’s too hot, or the majority showing us how they are enjoying the sun, those able to get outside and make the most of it.

People of the UK will today fill any little bit of green area near their offices to bask in the sunshine on their lunch hour. No doubt many will have taken the day off to head to parks and the seaside to make the most of the heatwave we are experiencing. Pasty legs will be on show, blokes will have their tops off, kids will have their paddling pools out in many gardens, open air swimming pools will be full, ice cream men will be loving the extra business caused by people’s desire to cool down. Barbecues will be producing many burnt burgers up and down the country. But the one thing you can put money on, is that nationwide, there will be scores upon scores of people who be tanning today who will no doubt suffer from sunburn.

Although I didn’t usually burn, I was always one of those people tanning. I worshipped the sun. I loved to be tanned. I felt better in myself, had more self-confidence and felt happier with my appearance when I had a sunkissed look. In early adulthood I would sunbathe at any opportunity, often using oil instead of any sun lotion with protection. I even used tanning beds to top my tan up. I would certainly say that I was addicted to tanning at that age. As the years rolled by, I still enjoyed the feeling the heat and rays of the sun hit my skin, but I was not as militant about it. I spent two years living in the Middle East, where the strength of the sun was so much higher than I was used to in London, but I would still tan regularly, and would still only use low factor sun protection; never higher than a factor15.

Earlier this year, I had A Wakeup Call, a mole that I had been concerned about had to be excised, and I had a week long wait to find out if it was Melanoma. I was lucky. And I have sworn to live my life having learnt my lesson. That’s not to say I will not sunbathe from here on. I will. I am a summer baby, and summer is when I am happiest. But I will do it sensibly. 

Unfortunately today, people will suffer from sunburn, highly increasing their chance of being susceptible to skin related issues such as Melanoma. The sad fact is that today, six people will lose their battle with Skin cancer. Think of that daily figure, over the course of  the summer, that is a lot of loved ones who will be without someone special.

There is simple advice for surviving the heatwave, and to be honest it is common sense: High factor sun lotion, shade, lots of water, cover up, avoiding long instances of exposure to the sun, and making sure the little ones are kept cool. When you are certain age, you can manage the way you get through the heatwave. Young babies, children and the elderly are the ones who are really going to struggle. 

On another note - cars will be even hotter, so to leave a dog or child in a car should be a criminal offence. Do not take the risk. Not even for two minutes.

If you do manage to avoid the office, and actually get to spend some time in the sun, please be sensible. It could really make a difference to the rest of your life.  But enjoy the sun, enjoy each other. Get the  BBQ on, get the summer time feel good songs on, and make a memory! For me personally, many of my fondest memories over the years have been formed in the summertime. I am sure I am not the only one.