Staying cool in the summer heat is vital for maintaining physical and mental well-being.
Why?
Because getting over-heated can cause heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion (link to previous article). Heat-related illnesses can lead to confusion, fatigue, dizziness, and in worst-case scenarios, fainting or death.
Getting over-heated is also really uncomfortable. Trying to do work or falling asleep when you’re sweating and sticky can make you grumpy and discombobulated.
In this article, we’ll go over all the ways you can keep yourself comfortable and cool as the summer temperatures ramp up.
- Drink your water: First and foremost, always make sure you’re drinking your liquids. Not only will cool liquid help regulate your body temperature, but it keeps you hydrated as well. Hydration is the key to staying healthy by flushing out waste, keeping your energy levels and brain function high, helping you digest, and avoiding nasty side effects like dizziness, fatigue and fainting. While water is one of the best beverages you can drink because it’s zero calories and contains no sugar, you can also keep yourself cool by drinking almost anything except for coffee and alcohol, which act as diuretics.
- Eat cool foods: Popsicles, fruit, salads, and smoothies are good examples of cold foods that can help you keep your body temperature cool. Plus, they’re really fun to eat when you’re feeling overheated. There’s a reason why watermelon is so delicious on a hot summer day.
- Get a portable fan or AC: If you don’t have central AC or ceiling fans, you can purchase affordable portable fans and air conditioners. For fans, there’s everything from hands-free neckband fans to handheld fans to large box fans available on the market; as for ACs, you can purchase ones as small as a toaster oven and take them wherever you go.
- Take advantage of ice packs: Usually our freezers are full of ancient ice packs that are begging to be used. Whether it’s the middle of the day or while you’re trying to sleep, keeping an ice pack on your body, particularly on pulse point areas such as your wrists, temple and neck, will help you stay cool and calm.
- Enjoy a cold shower: Taking a quick, cold bath or shower, even though it’s sometimes a little shocking to the system, will help bring down your core temperature.
If you find yourself getting overheated, remember these tips and stay safe this summer.