Summer is here. The heat is on. I love the long, hot days but when the summer sun becomes too much, it can help to have some ideas on how to reduce the effects of the heat. Here are ten suggestions:
1)The first obviously very important point is to drink plenty of water to keep well-hydrated. I always take a bottle of water with me wherever I go, even on very short outings as thirst can strike suddenly.
2)During the summer months, keep a spray bottle of water in the fridge. A cool water spray is wonderfully refreshing. I carry my little hand-held fan with me everywhere with me and after a cool water spray, for added effect, I gently fan.
If using a fan, don't fan too vigorously and direct the flow of air towards the face. Some people prefer small battery-operated fans.
3)Only do exercise in the early morning or late evening, when it is cooler. Avoid exercising in the direct sunlight or when the day is at its hottest. Do shorter spells and less vigorous exercise.
4)When overwhelmed with heat, put the hands into a bucket of cold water. When body temperature rises, blood is sent to the surface of the skin. When the body temperature returns to normal, it slows the blood flow to the hands and cools us.
5)Wear loose-fitting clothing. Cotton is better than synthetics. There is some debate about whether of not the color of the clothes makes a difference but I naturally prefer wearing light colors in the summer. Dampening the clothes with water can help because the body heat evaporates the water and cools the skin. Evaporation takes the heat away.
6)Take frequent cool showers. Nothing feels better than a cool shower when arriving home after a long, hot day. Don't have a freezing cold shower though, as this will only trap the heat. I also enjoy a cool foot bath on a hot evening after coming home from a walk in the park.
7)Stay out of the direct heat and sunlight and don't go out during the hottest part of the day. Some people enjoy spending time in some of the many air-conditioned public places such as shopping malls, cinemas and cafes.If it is necessary to be out in the sun, always take care to make sure the skin is well-protected.
8)Try to avoid caffeine and alcohol as they have a dehydrating effect.
9)Watch the diet. When it is very hot, avoid big, heavy meals with hot food and favor light snacks or fruit and meals that include salads.This also reduces cooking time over a hot stove. Some people do enjoy a curry from time to time when it is hot as it stimulates sweating, which then evaporates and cools the body. I love curry, but personally, I prefer to enjoy it in winter.
10)It is important to keep the house well-ventilated, letting the air circulate. If the house has two storeys and both the upstairs and downstairs windows are open, this will enable the hot air to rise and go out of the top windows, while the cooler air comes in through the lower windows.If using an electric fan indoors, put it near an open window so that it can draw air in from outside.
1)The first obviously very important point is to drink plenty of water to keep well-hydrated. I always take a bottle of water with me wherever I go, even on very short outings as thirst can strike suddenly.
2)During the summer months, keep a spray bottle of water in the fridge. A cool water spray is wonderfully refreshing. I carry my little hand-held fan with me everywhere with me and after a cool water spray, for added effect, I gently fan.
If using a fan, don't fan too vigorously and direct the flow of air towards the face. Some people prefer small battery-operated fans.
3)Only do exercise in the early morning or late evening, when it is cooler. Avoid exercising in the direct sunlight or when the day is at its hottest. Do shorter spells and less vigorous exercise.
4)When overwhelmed with heat, put the hands into a bucket of cold water. When body temperature rises, blood is sent to the surface of the skin. When the body temperature returns to normal, it slows the blood flow to the hands and cools us.
5)Wear loose-fitting clothing. Cotton is better than synthetics. There is some debate about whether of not the color of the clothes makes a difference but I naturally prefer wearing light colors in the summer. Dampening the clothes with water can help because the body heat evaporates the water and cools the skin. Evaporation takes the heat away.
6)Take frequent cool showers. Nothing feels better than a cool shower when arriving home after a long, hot day. Don't have a freezing cold shower though, as this will only trap the heat. I also enjoy a cool foot bath on a hot evening after coming home from a walk in the park.
7)Stay out of the direct heat and sunlight and don't go out during the hottest part of the day. Some people enjoy spending time in some of the many air-conditioned public places such as shopping malls, cinemas and cafes.If it is necessary to be out in the sun, always take care to make sure the skin is well-protected.
8)Try to avoid caffeine and alcohol as they have a dehydrating effect.
9)Watch the diet. When it is very hot, avoid big, heavy meals with hot food and favor light snacks or fruit and meals that include salads.This also reduces cooking time over a hot stove. Some people do enjoy a curry from time to time when it is hot as it stimulates sweating, which then evaporates and cools the body. I love curry, but personally, I prefer to enjoy it in winter.
10)It is important to keep the house well-ventilated, letting the air circulate. If the house has two storeys and both the upstairs and downstairs windows are open, this will enable the hot air to rise and go out of the top windows, while the cooler air comes in through the lower windows.If using an electric fan indoors, put it near an open window so that it can draw air in from outside.
Have a great summer!
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