Tips for Protecting Yourself from the Summer Heat

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Summers are here, a season which we both love and hate. We love it because it is the season of delicious fruits and juices, which range from mangoes, grapes to watermelons and sweet limes. It a season to explore the hill stations, to have pool parties and so on. But it also comes with its disadvantages: the soaring temperature, hot winds, the rising humidity, sweat, body odour, heat strokes and dehydration, which makes us hate this season as well. It is always advisable to stay indoors most of the time during summers. But, this is not a practical solution. Thus, the best way to protect ourselves from the summer heat and make the most of the season is to be well-prepared for it.

Tips to remain healthy during summers

  • Drink lots of water: Drink lots of water and variety of fruit juices. Avoid dehydration by drinking fluids at regular intervals. Barley water, aam panna, limewater, coconut water are good for health during this time.
  • Small frequent meals:  Doctors have always advised small, frequent meals during the day and not to skip breakfast for overall good health of a person. This becomes all the more important during summers as it prevents low blood pressure and dizziness during very hot days.
  • Light diet and avoid heavy food: Always opt for a light diet. Avoid heavy, oily and spicy foods as much as you can because these foods take a longer time to digest. Do not drink alcoholic beverages and avoid tea or coffee because they speed up fluid loss.
  • Exercise: Daily exercise is always good for health. But in summers, care must be taken not exercise vigorously as it would lead to exertion. Preferably, go for walks or jogging early in the morning or in the evening after the sun sets so as to avoid the scorching heat rays. Do yoga in the comforts of your home.

 

Consume healthy fruits and vegetables

  • Nourish your body with seasonal fruits and vegetables that have powerful nutrients. Fruits like watermelon and grapes nourish and cool our body and give moisture to our skin. They also help to counter the influence of the summer heat.
  • Mango, another popular fruit available during this season, is also very good for health. It clears the skin, eyes, reduces cholesterol, and alkalizes the whole body. But, it should be consumed in limited quantity as too much consumption can raise the body heat and might cause stomach problems.
  • Among vegetables, bottle gourd, cucumber, eggplant (brinjal), mushrooms, zucchini, cabbage turnip are good.

Tips to protect your body and skin from the summer heat

  • Cotton clothes: Wear light, loose-fitting cotton or summer friendly clothes which soak your sweat easily and at the same time keep your body cool.
  • Avoid black: Avoid wearing black and other dark coloured clothes as black absorbs more heat. Go for light, white and pastel shades that do not absorb that much heat.
  • Sunscreen lotion: Apply a sunscreen lotion when you step out of the house. In fact, if you are outside for a long time then reapplying sunscreen is important.
  • Sunglasses and hats: Don’t forget to put on your sunglasses when you go out. Even wide-brimmed hats are effective to protect oneself from the sun.
  • Scarfs and stoles: Some prefer to cover their heads with scarfs, stoles or dupattas. This is also a good option but make sure that the scarf or stole is of a light material like cotton. This will prevent the heat from directly reaching your head. It will also protect you from the hot loo.
  • Tissues: Keep tissues and wet wipes with you all the time so as to wipe out the sweat at regular intervals.
  • Apply prickly heat powder: Prickly heat powder is also a good protection from the sun, especially for children. Prickly heat powder should be applied on the back, front and under armpits of kids. This keeps the body cool and protects it from rashes.
  • Cool showers: Body odour and sweating are common problems in summers. So it is always advisable to take frequent cool showers to remain fresh and cool.