Have you ever felt dizzy, weak, and tired after staying out in the sun for too long?
If yes, you might have experienced heat exhaustion, a condition caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Another more serious type of heat illness is heatstroke, which requires emergency treatment.
Now, while anyone can develop heat exhaustion or heatstroke, some people are more at risk. This group includes older adults, babies, and young children, those who have chronic illnesses such as heart disease, and so on.
Staying cool during a heat wave, however, is a must even if you don’t belong to the at-risk group for heat illnesses. That being said, let’s talk about some of the best ways to beat the heat.
1. Get a Haircut
If you’ve always wanted to cut your hair short, the best time to do it is when the weather gets hot. Sure, you can always put your hair up, but a shorter do might just change your life. Plus, you can always donate your chopped off locks to Locks of Love, Wigs for Kids, and other similar organizations.
2. Close the Curtains
Is the air outside hotter than it is indoors? You can stay cool by drawing the curtains and closing the blinds.
Now, if you’re wondering if you should close the windows too, there’s no need for it. The idea is to let some light in, but not too much that it raises indoor temperatures.
3. Watch Your Diet
You’re looking for tips on how to stay cool in the heat, and this one says you have to watch what you eat. What’s the deal?
This isn’t a joke. When you eat larger meals, your body warms up more because it needs that metabolic heat to digest food. So what you can do is eat smaller meals, and load up on foods that have a high water content such as celeries, cucumbers, etc. to help you keep hydrated.
4. Check Essentials for Staying Cool
The last thing you want during a heat wave is for your AC to break down, especially when you live in a place where the climate is mostly semi-arid to arid.
One advice given by Scottsdale Air, a heating and cooling company in Arizona is to have your HVAC system serviced at least once a year. This will ensure your AC won’t be needing emergency repairs, which are usually quite expensive.
5. Follow Time-Tested Tips for Keeping Cool
Wearing lighter clothing, staying hydrated, and taking cold showers aren’t exactly new tips for beating the heat, but they’re oft-repeated because they work.
The same goes for staying in the shade or heading indoors when the sun’s rays get too intense. Of course, if you have to go outside, don’t forget to wear sunblock and wear protective clothing.
Want More Tips for Surviving a Heat Wave?
Now that you know some tips for staying cool when the weather’s too hot, don’t forget to check out our other posts for coping with extreme temperatures.
We also have tons of articles on a variety of topics including business, health, technology, and so on. Keep coming for more interesting reads, and don’t forget to share them with your family and friends!
