Summer has always been fun and filled with all kinds of activities. For some, it’s the time of the year when they tend to exercise more. However, it’s also the time of the year when your body tends to lose lots of fluid, and heat exhaustion can hit hard.
Here are five ways you can keep you and your place cool enough to beat the summer heat.
5 tips to stay cool in hot weather
Keep your blinds and your doors closed
Cool your home by keeping your blinds and doors closed. It’s better to have bright or white curtains rather than dark ones since dark colors tend to trap heat. You can invest in window tinting as well since the tint will filter out the radiation from the sun. Similarly, you can install a roofing system that’s insulated for better airflow.
Plant trees for shade
Another way to block the heat is by planting trees that can cast shade over your home in the summer but can also let the sun shine through in colder months.
Drink lots of water
Fight dehydration by drinking lots of water along with sports drinks to replenish lost electrolytes. Drinking water seems like the normal and most basic thing to do but you’ll be surprised at how most people forget to follow the 8 by 8 rule. This means that you should drink 8 ounces of water, 8 times a day.
Don’t wait until you get thirsty to replenish your liquids. By the time you feel like drinking water, you’re already dehydrated. Always stay ahead and carry a water bottle wherever you go.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine since these will cause dehydration. Alcohol desensitizes you to heat but also, it dries you out. The same thing goes for other caffeinated drinks like tea, soda, and coffee.
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Use fan
Fans improve air circulation around your home and make you feel cooler. However, some, like ceiling fans, might feel like they’re just spreading the hot air around you. To combat this, have your ceiling fan so that it rotates counter-clockwise. This will help push the air down which will create a cooling effect. Do the opposite in winter so that it pulls the cool air upwards.
You can also try getting a small portable fan, these little things are handy especially when you’re out and about.
Another tip is to place a bowl of ice in front of your electric fan. You’ll feel a cool breeze blowing your way, and the good thing is that it doesn’t even cost much.
Wear loose cotton clothings
Choose loose cotton fabrics as they’re breathable which will help you cool your body. In cases where you feel like the heat is just pointed at you and you can’t find a place to chill, then you should apply cooling packs in your body’s cooling areas.
For example, you can apply ice packs on your wrist, forehead, or the pulse of your neck. Applying a cold compress on these points will cool you down fast since the blood vessels in those points are closer to your skin.
It’s advisable to stay indoors whenever you can and avoid doing anything in direct sunlight. It’s hard to get bored since there are exciting sports you can do indoors, this way you don’t have to go outside and suffer the heat.
If you feel exhausted, stop what you’re doing and rest. Pay attention to the elderly, children, and infants since they don’t thermo-regulate as well. This means their bodies can’t maintain their core internal temperature as well as a regular adult can. In this regard, also pay close attention to your pets.
Change your light bulbs
One more tip if you want to cool your home is to change your light bulbs. Some light bulbs, like incandescent bulbs, produce lots of heat. Choose energy-saving bulbs like led or fluorescent for a much cooler alternative. You’re also energy efficient so you’re going to save more money on electricity.
What to do in case of a heat stroke
Immense heat can affect the body and cause heatstroke. Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition where your body temperature gets more than 104F or 40C. Signs include headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, confusion, increased heart rate, visual problems, and more.
If you’re feeling these signs, stop anything that you’re doing, and get out of the heat quickly. Find a cool, shaded place, and drink lots of cold water.
Take off any extra clothing, and lie flat but with raised legs. When they’re elevated, circulation will blood to flow to your heart.
Apply ice, any cool cloth, or take a cold bath.
If you see that your temperature has risen to 104F or 40C and it’s barely come down, seek immediate medical attention.
Heat-related accidents can be prevented by taking basic precautions. Enjoy your summer, but always be prepared. The key here is to drink lots of water and stay in shaded areas.
