We're smack bang in the middle of festival season now, the time of year where music fans countrywide dress up in their festival fineries and dance away the weekend in a field somewhere.

It's important, though, to take care of yourself out there as three days in the sun can really take its toll on festivalgoers. Here's a list of some things to make

 

BRING SUNCREAM. We can't stress that enough.

It's important to stay hydrated, especially given this current heatwave that we're experiencing. If you're drinking alcohol, make sure to make time for a few glasses of water here and there as beer will only serve to dehydrate you further. Trust us, you'll thank us in the morning when you don't wake up with a monster of a headache.

Speaking of, make sure to pace yourself. It's not a race!

Don't dress for the weather you hope it will be, dress for the weather it is. It's commonplace for Irish music festivals to take place under constant threat of rain but this incredibly warm weather means you can actually show some skin this weekend - just make sure that you keep mindful of the potential dangers prolonged exposure to the sun might have on your skin.

Bring enough cash with you. Most festivals, including Longitude, will have ATM's on site but the queues for these often take in excess of 25 minutes. Save yourself that time by doing your banking in advance!

Bring snacks. A few breakfast bars or pieces of fruit can pose a healthy, cheaper alternative to the food stalls on hand. It'll save you some more queuing time too!

Don't rely on your mobile phone. Odds are you'll be snapping some pics and sending tweets and this might drain your battery quite quickly. Write the phone numbers of your friends on a piece of paper and keep that with you, should you get separated and need to get in touch at the end of the night.

Going to a camping festival? Give your tent an airing before bringing it to the festival. There's nothing worse than attempting to set up a tent and realising that you're missing several pegs!

Set up your tent as soon as you arrive at the festival. It may seem like a hassle but it's definitely preferable to attempting to set the thing up at 4am in the pitch darkness with a couple of beers inside you.

A pocket light will also come in very handy.

If you have any current prescriptions, make sure you're well stocked before heading to the festival.

Oh, and don't forget to bring a pack of condoms with you! Remember, Johnny's Got You Covered!

For more information, visit www.thinkcontraception.ie