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‘Keeping your Cool’ this
summer
Summer is
here and the temperatures are soaring. However, summer is also the time to
travel, to enjoy ones holidays and have fun with our family and friends. Here
are some tips that will not only help you enjoy yourself but will also help
you to ‘keep your cool’ in spite of the rising mercury.
1. Wear footwear that breathes:
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For urban wear, sandals and flip flops are generally ideal for keeping your
feet cool.
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Flip flops are great for some activities, but more strenuous activities
require arch support, durability, and comfort. Sport sneakers are great, but
be sure you have worn them beforehand, so they won't rub your feet and give
you blisters.
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Remember to wear socks, preferably ones that wick away moisture to help keep
you cool and comfortable.
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If you're going to the beach or pool, wear water shoes to protect your feet
from the heat of beach sand and from sharp items in the water.
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Be careful if you decide to go barefoot. Many artificial pavements become
unbearably hot during warm weather and can scald your feet. Also watch out for
sharp objects when going barefoot in places such as parks and the beach.
2. Stay hydrated:
Water is essential for keeping your cool during hot weather. It's okay to
also drink commercial waters (such as Vitamin Water) or energy drinks such as
Gatorade but they're usually not necessary unless you're deliberately
replenishing lost vitamins/electrolytes or energy following a sporting
activity.
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Purchase a durable water bottle or water pack that you can tote everywhere.
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Freeze a bottle of water to carry around with you. It'll be solid when you
leave the house but the heat will start melting it from the moment you take it
out of the freezer and you'll benefit from the continuously chilled slowly
thawing water. Wrap in toweling or similar to prevent water condensation
affecting other items in your bag.
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Stay away from sugary drinks such as sodas. Minimize caffeinated drinks, such
as tea and coffee because these tend to increase dehydration.
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As well as drinking water, use it to spritz yourself cool too. Fill a spray
bottle with pure water and place in the refrigerator at home or work. When you
feel too hot, spray a fine mist of the cooled water over face to help cool you
down quickly. Refill as needed and keep refrigerated. Also chill your pulse
points by running cold water over your wrist for a minute or so each hour.
3. Eat to stay cool:
Food can keep you cool provided you make the right choices.
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Prefer salads, fresh raw food, vegetables and fruit. Avoid eating meat and
protein-heavy foods during the heat of the day because these can increase
metabolic heat production, which can add to loss of water.
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Avoid eating junk food––it lacks healthy nutrients, is often hot and greasy
and won't give you the energy needed to cope with the heat. If you must eat
junk food, keep it for the cooler hours of the day or year.
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Find foods that don't need cooking, so that you don't have to turn on the
stove. This might be a good time to experiment with some raw food
choices––check out recipes online or in a good book. Cold soups are great in
warm weather. If you haven't tried them yet, hot weather is the excuse you
need!
4. Use fans:
Fans can keep you cool by continuously circulating air. Paper or
battery-operated fans can be used almost anywhere–at work, at home or
on-the-go. In your home and office space, locate fans in rooms where you are
working or resting to keep the air circulating freely and to reduce the
mugginess of heat. They are also a cheaper alternative to the air
conditioners.
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Try making your own "swamp cooler". This can be done by simply placing a bowl
of chilled water in front of a fan and letting the fan air blow over it.
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Want to cool the bed down? Fill a standard hot water bottle with ice water.
Use it to cool your ankles and the back of your knees — it works.
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Cooling your head cools your entire body. Opt for a cool and absorbent pillow
of organic cotton it at all possible. Put aside latex pillows until the
weather cools down.
5. Allow yourself time to acclimatize if travelling:
Travellers often make the mistake of trying to maintain normal levels of
activity when arriving in a country warmer than the one they've left.
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Rather than pushing yourself, give yourself time to acclimatize to the new
warmer environment, which means minimizing physical activity until the heat
feels more tolerable. This will usually take a few days, so plan a restful
period at the commencement of a vacation in a warmer place. Once you feel more
comfortable in the heat, gradually build up your physical activities until
you're back to your normal level.
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Rest is an important way of coping with too much heat. Don't deny yourself the
opportunity to rest when you feel fatigued during warm weather. In high heat,
consider moving slowly to prevent overheating
6. Make a game out of staying cool:
Kids know how much fun it can be to find playful ways to stay cool and there
are some really enjoyable ways to stay cool when it's hot, whatever your age.
Here are just a few suggestions to take all the seriousness out of staying
cool:
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Turn on the sprinklers, gather your friends and run through them for a time.
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Increase the fun by making water balloons and throwing these at each other.
The aim is to get hit in order to cool down, so remind everyone to stay in the
spirit of cooling down instead of trying to dodge them.
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Have an afternoon of making and eating your own frozen treats, including ice
cream, popsicles, slushies, frozen fruit, etc. Invite friends around to make
it a party event.
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Make use of commercial venues that provide cold entertainment. The cinema is
often freezing, so it's a good choice. Or visit a water park or ice skating
rink. You could even devise a game with friends to find the coldest buildings
in your city or town that permit public access. Is it your library or your
local ice cream parlor that's coldest inside?
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