8 Tips to Protect from Summer Heat

Our body undergoes an adaptation process with every change of season. Hospital admission rates increase as we move from winter to summer or summer to winter. Unfortunately, due to global warming, the change of seasons is more abrupt than ever before and we are breaking new temperature records every summer. There is no practical solution to global warming, but there is a lot we can do to protect ourselves from heat stroke and heat-related illnesses.

 

How hot is dangerous for us?

The answer depends on several other factors except the temperature itself. Your age, health status, humidity level are also factors affecting high temperature risks but generally 40 degrees is the point where heat-stroke risk is high for each one of us.

 

Who are more sensitive to summer heat?

• Children below 5
• People over 65
• Heart patients
• Kidney patients
• Diabetes patients
• Cancer patients
• Blood pressure patients
• Pregnant women
• People who are overweight or underweight
• People with psychological or psychiatric illnesses
• Alcohol users and smokers

 

Tips to stay cool and healthy during hot summer

1- Follow the weather forecast
Days with sudden changes in the weather are when your body will be under the most strain. Pay attention to temperature and humidity. As the humidity increases, the intensity of the heat will increase. Make your daily schedule based on weather forecasts.

2- Take frequent -and warm- showers
Shower with warm -not cold, not hot- water. Although a cold shower may relax you for the moment, your body will perceive this as winter approaching and will try to warm itself up.

3- Choose your clothes wisely
We want to be sexy and attractive when we dress, but in summer your first priority should be to stay cool. Choose loose, light-colored clothes made from natural materials such as cotton and linen.

4- Pay attention to your nutrition
During the hot months, focus on juicy and fibrous foods. Replace the minerals you will lose due to sweating naturally. Prefer main meals with vegetables, consume 1-2 servings of fruit a day to get glucose and fructose into the body.

5- Drink enough water
Increased temperatures also mean increased sweating. Loss of water in the body caused by sweating can cause low blood pressure until the hormone mechanism is activated. If enough water is not consumed, low blood pressure can cause problems in hot days. Balance the mineral and water loss caused by sweating by drinking an average of 2 liters of water a day.

6- Do not stop exercising
Make physical exercise part of your daily life in summer, but choose the time more carefully. Do light exercises in the morning or evening when it is cooler, before or at least 2 hours after a meal.

7- Use sunscreen
First negative impact of the sun will hit your skin. Avoid direct sun contact, especially between 11 am and 4 pm. If you need to stay outside for a long time, use sunscreens suitable for your skin type.

8- Limit smoking and alcohol consumption
Alcohol and smoking have negative effects on the body in all seasons, but these harmful effects increase in extremely hot days. Remember that alcohol in particular will not cool you down; in fact, it will make your body warmer. Moreover, alcohol use accelerates your mineral loss and lowers your blood pressure even more.