With summers at their peak and temperatures soaring, keeping yourself cool is not only a matter of comfort, but also precaution. Very high temperatures can result in heat related illnesses like heat cramps, heat strokes and heat exhaustion.
A little care can keep you cool all summer long.
1. Cotton Clothes
Wear cotton clothes as they keep you cooler. Avoid wearing synthetic clothes in scorching hot summers.
2. Light-colored clothes
Try wearing lighter shades of clothes as dark colors absorb heat. Avoid wearing tight fitted clothes. Sweat dries faster when you’re wearing loosely fitted clothes.
3. Eat lighter food
Instead of hot foods, try lighter summer fare including frequent small meals or snacks containing cold fruit or low fat dairy products. As an added benefit, you won’t have to cook next to a hot stove.
4. Exercise
Alter your pattern of outdoor exercise to take advantage of cooler times (early morning or late evening). If you can’t change the time of your workout, scale it down by doing fewer minutes, walking instead or running, or decreasing your level of exertion.
5. Frequent showers
Take frequent baths or showers with cool or tepid water. Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the refrigerator for a quick refreshing spray to your face after being outdoors.
6. Drink plenty of water
Combat dehydration by drinking plenty of water along with sports drinks or other sources of electrolytes. Summer drinks like lemonade, buttermilk and coconut water have cooling effect on our bodies. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these will promote dehydration.
7. Staying indoors
If the heat is intolerable, stay indoors when you can and avoid activities in direct sunlight or on hot asphalt surfaces. Pay special attention to the elderly, infants, and anyone with a chronic illness, as they may dehydrate easily and be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Don’t forget that pets also need protection from dehydration and heat-related illnesses too.
8.Place an ice pack on your wrists
It cools the blood in your veins, and instantly makes you feel cooler. You could also run your pulse under some cold water or just splash some cold water on your face to stay at a desirable temperature.
9. Switch off unnecessary lights
Keep your house cool by keeping off the majority of your lights during the day, since they produce energy and heat!