Beat the Heat: Your Guide to Stay Cool This Summer
The summer has arrived, and with it, the need to keep cool and healthy! While we all might have our own remedies to beat the heat, here are some lesser-known daily habits you should consider dealing with the ruthlessness of summer in the UAE.
It All Begins with Food!
What we consume plays a big part in helping us cope with the heat. Our choice of meals – even spice levels – might be of help. Some of these hacks might surprise you but are well worth considering.
Consume Spicy Food to Cool Down
Yes, you read that right! If you add spicy foods in your diet, your blood circulation and internal temperature will increase. Substances like capsaicin in chillies send messages to your brain that your body is overheated, causing you to sweat more than normal. Once the sweat evaporates, your body cools down.
Fill Your Plate with Summer-Friendly Foods
Eat foods with a cooling effect due to high water content, including mint, basil, cilantro, cucumber and watermelon. Leafy greens, like lettuce and spinach, too are light and hydrating enough to help beat the heat. Add yogurt, known to reduce body temperature, and coconut water in your meals to maintain the body’s electrolyte balance.
Try consuming more cold soups and stews during the summer as they might contribute towards hydration levels. Peppermint tea, known for its cooling properties, may also help ward off heat. No need to wait for the tea to cool down. Drinking hot drinks might cause you to perspire more, thereby helping your body cool down.
Don’t Forget Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals might help reduce heat-related stress and cool the body. Vitamin A, for instance, supports skin health and helps reduce inflammation. Minerals like zinc and magnesium might help regulate body temperature during summer.
Avoid Diuretics and Junk Food
Limit consuming diuretics, like coffee, as they lead to dehydration. For coffee persons unwilling to compromise on their daily fix, make sure you drink plenty of water to offset the effect. Also, avoid fried snacks and greasy food.
Lifestyle-Based Hacks to Keep Cool
Summer-Friendly Skincare
If you’ve been out in the sun and need sunburn relief once you’re indoors, try this natural, after-sun cure product. For a cooling effect, take some yogurt and slather yourself with it on areas of your skin exposed to the sun.
As far as skincare goes, aloe vera might help. The effect is even more profound if you keep your aloe vera in the refrigerator and allow it to cool before applying some on your skin.
Wear Appropriate Clothes and Cover Your Head
During the summer months, wearing light-coloured clothing is recommended, as light colours reflect heat. Loose-fitting clothing can also help you stay cool. Natural fabrics like cotton or linen or semi-synthetics like rayon can be worn to beat the body heat. You can protect your head from the heat by wearing a cap or using an umbrella when outdoors. Consider carrying a trusty mist spray with you when you step out.
Cool Your Pulse Points
While being out in the Sun, try cooling your pulse points by running cold water on your wrists or putting your feet in cool water with your ankles submerged. Your pulse points have blood vessels close to the skin.
Use Ice Bags or Cold Water
You can also store ice bags for compression on affected areas of the skin or take some water from the refrigerator and splash some on your face to cool yourself down.
Exercise Indoors
As far as exercising is concerned, indoor exercises are the way to go, preferably during the cooler times of the day. Hit those indoor pools – swimming is a great way to get that daily exercise in during the summer.
Summer Hack to Sleep Well
If your sheets are too warm to sleep on, put them in a plastic bag and place the bag in the freezer for a couple of hours before bedtime!
Ready for Summer
As the sun turns up the heat, staying cool requires more than just cranking up the air conditioner and chugging water. Consider the summer hacks mentioned above and embrace the cool life!
Stay healthy, live fit, and beat the heat this summer with a little self-care.
Disclaimer: This document is for information purpose only and is neither medical advice nor meant to substitute you consulting your doctor. Seek advice from a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.