Scorching summer: Tips and tricks to stay cool
June 11, 2023 2023-06-11 0:00Scorching summer: Tips and tricks to stay cool
Hello, young friends!
Hope you all are doing well. The last couple of days have been really hot. We had some relief after a spell of shower the other day but the weather is still hot and humid.
So, how are you coping with the heat? You have to be very cautious as the heat can cause heat stroke. It can also lead to skin trouble. Some people are allergic to sunlight. They get rashes when exposed to sunlight. The extreme heat can lead to dehydration too. So, it's very important to know how to deal with this harsh weather.
Let me share a few tips and tricks with you. I'm sure these will keep you calm and cool in the heat:
1. Stay hydrated: Drink water, fresh fruit juice, tender coconut water (daab narikolor paani), lemonade (nemu sorbot), etc. to quench your thirst. Avoid aerated drinks as these contain a lot of sugar and are unhealthy.
2. Eat light: It's always a good idea to eat light, homemade food in hot weather. Locally available vegetables like elephant apple (outenga), garcinia (thekera), etc. are great for summers as they aid in digestion. Avoid rich, spicy food as it's difficult to digest.
3. Munch right: In summers, we tend to get dehydrated. So, eating food that has high water content is important. Eat watermelon, cucumber, etc. as they have high water content and will help you stay cool.
4. Wear cool: Our clothes play an important role too. Wear light, pure cotton clothes so that the body stays cool. Cotton helps absorb sweat better than synthetic. Also, wear colours like white, cream, and other lighter shades because they don't absorb heat and help you stay cool.
5. Maintain hygiene: It's very important to maintain proper hygiene. Take a bath at least twice in summers. Wear clean clothes. Change your undergarments every day. Use a roll-on (non-alcoholic one) to keep body odour at bay. It's always a better idea to use a roll-on rather than a deodorant because deodorants contain alcohol and might harm your skin.
6. Curtains are cool: If you want to keep your room cool during the day, use thick curtains to block the heat from entering your room. This will save you from the heat.
7. Water hacks: A lot of us go back home from school/work to take a refreshing bath but get disappointed because the water in the tank is boiling hot. This happens because the water tank overhead gets heated due to sunlight. So, to avoid this, fill a bucket of water in the morning and keep for use later.
8. Matka magic: Have you seen earthen water pots used to store drinking water? These pots keep water cool and are good for health too. Get a matka to store your water rather than depending on refrigerated water all the time. Some of these come with inbuilt taps too for letting out water. Buying a matka will also help you support your local potters.
9. Travel: A summer trip to the hills is always a good idea. But make sure not to litter when you go to a beautiful place. Soak in the beauty of the place without harming the flora and fauna around.
10. Skincare: Summer means sweaty skin. Wash your face often to keep it free of sweat and dirt. Carry clean cotton handkerchiefs to wipe off sweat when you're outside. You can dab on some rosewater (kept in the fridge) with cotton on your face as it's refreshing and good for skin. Always rely on natural remedies rather than artificial ones.
11. Care for others: Be kind to all in this harsh weather, be it animals or people. Keep water for birds in your balcony as birds also feel thirsty and uneasy in this weather. Provide water to people who come to deliver your food or grocery. A little kindness goes a long way in such hard times. Bringing a smile to someone's face in this heat is the best thing you can do.
I hope these tips and tricks will help you sail through the sweltering heat. Have a great summer ahead!
