While it’s lovely to have some beautiful sunshine, keeping cool is imperative during a heatwave. Here are 12 top tips for coping with the heat:
1. Keep hydrated. Drinking water is the best way to do this. If you can, try and avoid drinking caffeine as this might increase your heart rate which will make you feel warmer
2. Close the blinds and windows during the warmest part of the day. Open windows first thing in the morning and later in the evening to allow the air to circulate.
3. Try and wear loose fitting clothing
4. Reduce your portion size at meal time and consider eating little and often. Your metabolism increases when you digest heavy food which increases your temperature.
5. If you feel that you’re overheating, run your wrists under cool water and place your feet in a bowl of cool water.
6. Put some fruit in the freezer for snacks. Grapes, bananas and pineapple are good options.
7. Try and avoid doing any strenuous work. If you can’t avoid it, make sure you do it at either the beginning or the end of the day when it is cooler
8. When you go outside, apply a high-factor sunscreen, wear a wide-brimmed had and stay in the shade wherever you can.
9. Place a bowl of ice in front of a fan. The fan will create a lovely cool mist as the ice melts.
10. Electrical devices and lightbulbs radiate heat, so unplug any electrical devices that you’re not using and turn off lights as much as possible.
11. Place a cool damp flannel on the back of your neck
12. Fill a hot water bottle with cold water and place in the freezer. Put in your bed, half an hour before bedtime to cool your sheets.
I hope you stay nice and cool as the temperature rises. Please let me know what you’re doing to keep cool.
