Escaping The Heat This Summer


With the India Meteorological Department issuing warnings about the ongoing heat-wave in Mumbai and other parts of the country, it is imperative that we take certain measures to stay cool this summer, and more importantly, avoid a potential heat stroke. Here are a few top pointers:


Stay Hydrated: Ensure that you up your intake of water and fluids. This helps your body sweat and maintain a normal body temperature.

Wear Loose-Fitting / Light Clothing: Wear clothing that is loose-fitting and light-weight, to add to your body’s comfort level and to allow it to breathe. Avoid tight-fitting or heavy-material clothes as these disallow your body to cool down.

Indoor Afternoons: Avoid stepping out during the peak noon hours (12:00pm – 5:00pm) when the mercury is at its highest.

No Strenuous Activities: Don’t indulge in strenuous physical activities / work-outs which make you weak. Limit your exercise timings till you are comfortable, as it takes several weeks for the body to adjust to hot weather, as per medical research. Opt for swimming instead, as this keeps you cool through the activity.

Eat Right: Avoid protein-rich and fat-rich meals as these increase heat in the body. Instead, opt for salads which are easier to digest and won’t make you sluggish. Avoid or cut down alcohol and caffeine (Coffee and tea) as these act as diuretics and promote dehydration. Drink cooling beverages instead – coconut-water is excellent as it is nutritiously dense and cools and hydrates the body. Nimbu-pani or lemonade, sugarcane juice and sweet lime sodas are great too!

Take Cold Showers: Nothing cools you and refreshes your senses like the good old, cold shower. It gives you instant cooling and is guaranteed to chill you down. Take cold showers multiple times a day!

Get ‘Cold Feet’: Treat your feet to an ice bath – this especially helps when you’ve had a long and tiring day. Also, go barefoot at home.

Take A Break – Head For A Hill-Station Or Get A Spa Treatment: Get out of the city to cool your senses and your soul at a nice, scenic and comparatively cooler hill-station. Cool, cozy and densely green, these are guaranteed to rejuvenate you from the city-heat. Alternatively, revitalize your body and its heat handling capacities with a cooling Spa treatment and restorative massages.

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