Beat the Heat
This summer has already seen record breaking temperatures across the country. It’s crucial to know how to keep yourself cool, so here are some top tips for keeping cool as we move into the last part of the summer months.
Probably the most important tip of all...
1. Drink lots and lots of water
Water is key when your body is trying to
maintain a regular temperature. Sweating is
the way your body cools you down. You need
to keep hydrating regularly throughout the day.
Avoid sugary drinks.
2. Stay out of sun between during peak hours
The sun is the hottest between 11am and
2pm. This is the time that sunburns are most
likely to happen. Limit the time you're in the
sun during these hours, and you’ll limit your
chances of overheating.
3. Dress appropriately
This can be one of the most important parts
of your strategy to stay cool. Wear loose,
breathable (think: cotton, linen, etc) clothing.
Footwear is also important. Wear shoes that
won’t leave your feet sweaty. Some other key
parts to dressing for the heat: hats, and
sunglasses. These both add a level of
protection from the sun.
4. Fun tip —
Refrigerate or freeze your bedsheets
This sounds odd, but once you try this trick,
you’ll wonder why you hadn’t tried it before.
Place your bedsheets in your fridge or freezer
for a half an hour before bedtime. Hint: think
of the kids — and try this trick with their
pajamas.
Be mindful — heat illnesses can be serious
Indoors or out the heat can sneak up on you. Be diligent at
staying cool, and you should be fine. But to be safe, here’s
information to keep in mind.
Heat exhaustion happens when you overload your body’s cooling system. It’s a culmination of overheating, dehydration, and other factors and it can cause a lot of problems. Heat exhaustion can manifest with extreme moods. People suffering from heat exhaustion can even become combative and confused.
Heatstroke is the next level after heat exhaustion. People suffering from heatstroke can be in serious danger, and immediate action is required. Signs of heatstroke can be hot, red skin, a rapid, strong pulse, and an extremely high body temperature (above 103 Fahrenheit). People will seem mentally checked out —they won't accept food or water. Sit them down in the shade, apply cool water-soaked fabric to all four of the major artery areas—groin, both armpits, and back of the neck—and get help immediately.
These are extreme outcomes of not staying cool. Being mindful to stay on top of the first 3 tips for staying cool, pay close attention to the young ones and the seniors around you.
