Even though most people would regard hats as a fashion accessory, do you know they also serve functional purposes? Yes, that’s right. Who would have thought that hats could actually protect us from environmental exposure while elevating our outfits and allowing us to express our personalities? Whether you’re gardening in the comfort of your own backyard or hiking along a mountain trail, these are reasons you should always wear a hat.
Protect the Skin
The sun is what gives the earth life, energy, and light. However, the sun would emit ultraviolet radiation - UVB and UVA rays, that are extremely harmful to our skin. This is the reason why dermatologists would recommend wearing sunscreen in order to protect our skin from sun damage, which can potentially result in skin cancer. For those who are particularly vulnerable to skin damage, such as sunburnt, suntan, and age spots, you can consider putting on hats as additional coverage for your skin. You should look for hats with a wider brim, like ball caps, or specially designed sun protection hats like a 360 brim hat.
Protect the Eyes
Like our skin, the sun can do much damage to our eyes. While wearing sunglasses can do the trick just as fine, some people might prefer added protection considering that our eyes play a huge role in our everyday functioning. As mentioned above, the sun emits UVA and UVB rays, both of which cause significant damage to our eyes. UVA damages our detail vision by harming the macula, a portion of the retina that’s located at the back of our eyes, whereas UVB damages the cornea. As such, both rays can result in decreased vision if your eyes are subjected to prolonged exposure to the sun. The wider and longer the brim, the better blockage your eyes will have against the sun's UV rays.
Bug Protection
If you’re planning on spending much of your day outside, especially in wooded areas, you’ll most likely get attacked by bugs and insects. Of course, nobody wishes to be subjected to such an ordeal, so in order to deter yourself from these pesky insects, wearing a hat can be an effective solution. You can purchase hats specially designed with insect repellants and head nets, though any kind of hat with a wide brim solves the problem as well.
Shade from the Sun
On those hot summer days, we completely understand that the extreme heat and sunlight can be unbearable at times. From fatigue and nausea to heavy sweating and even fainting, extreme sunlight can bring about a multitude of negative effects, which impede you from going about your day smoothly. While resting underneath a tree can provide some relief, it may not be sufficient to cool your body down. This is where a hat comes in by offering some shade whenever and wherever you’re at, especially when you’re in an area with not many trees and shade.
Cover Up Bad Hair
When you’re having a bad hair day, you can rely on a hat to cover up any unruly and non-showered hair, which may be oily, tangled, and out-of-control. This is especially important for camping trips, where you aren’t able to shower as frequently as you would like.
