I know I am not the only who has experienced a bad sunburn. You know... the kind that hurts when you wear your backpack or a shirt with tight straps. Summer is a time to go outside and be active. You are always on the move going from one activity to the next with your friends. A lot of times we don't even realize just how often we expose ourselves to the sun's harmful rays. With the month of May being skin cancer awareness month I thought I would share a few ways to avoid getting a sunburn.

1. Sunscreen! Sunscreen! Sunscreen!

This is clearly an obvious one! By now we know that we should wear sunscreen when we are out-and-about in the sun, but did you know you should be on at least a shot of sunscreen everyday? Yes, I just used a shot glass as a measuring tool for sunscreen. Whether you are just running some errands or spending the day at the beach you need to protect your skin.

2. Wear a Hat

Hats with an over-sized brim are in style and not only are they cute, but they are also practical. These hats serve as a great way to block your face from the sun! There are so many cute options at an array of different prices. Go find one that you like and actually wear it this summer.

3. Sunglasses

The same goes for sunglasses. There are several options that come in different shapes, sizes, colors, and costs. Find the ones you like that also protect against UV rays. If that's not enough... the skin around the eyes is often one of the first signs of aging.

4. Clothing

It's summer. It's hot. All you want to wear is crop tops and short shorts. I get it, but if you aren't willing to protect yourself with sunscreen, opt for clothing that covers your shoulders and mid-drift. It's not worth getting a sunburn.

5. Stay in the Shade

It's summertime! We want to be outside soaking up the sunshine and relaxing. Find time to relax in the shade and take a break from the sun. Being in the sun all day is tiring. Take a lunch break indoors or watch that movie you've been dying to see all summer! And if you still find yourself wanting to be outside, grab an umbrella!

6. Take caution with tanners.

There is no such thing as a healthy tan. I know we all want that natural glow. Be careful with the oily tanners you apply with an SPF of 15 or lower. They aren't a substitute for sunscreen and you may find yourself waking up with a nice sunburn rather than a nice sun tan.

7. Know the Facts vs. the Myths

As I said before, self-tanners don't replace sunscreen, makeup with SPF isn't a substitute either, and skin cancer can happen to everyone. Often times we fall prey to misconceptions such as these. You can take the Banner Health 'Know Your Truth about Your Skin Challenge' survey to test your knowledge.