How to Stay Cool in a Heat Wave
A heat wave may last for a few days to a few weeks and may happen with extreme humidity. Though you can’t prevent heat waves, there are things you can do to keep your body and home cool during this period.
Make Your Body Comfortable
Don’t wear heavy clothing. Use clothes that are made of cotton or other natural fibers. Avoid wearing dark colored clothes as these absorb heat more than light-colored ones. Also, avoid polyester materials. They will confine heat and will make you feel warmer.
Drink plenty of water. Since you’ll be perspiring a lot during these days, you have to make sure that you replace water you lose from sweating.
Drink juices and electrolyte-replacing drinks. Water is not the only thing you lose when you sweat. You also lose essential minerals and electrolytes. Sports drinks will help you replace these losses.
Have ice-cold drinks.
Avoid alcohol, coffee and soda. These liquids make you dehydrated.
Don’t eat too much. Eating the right amount and kind of food is very important. Eating will increase your temperature as your body breaks down food. Eat lightly and avoid eating foods high in calorie and protein. These will increase your metabolism leading to a higher body temperature.
Have cool showers as often as you can. This will freshen up your body and lower your temperature.
Don’t engage in strenuous activities. Exercising will only make you sweat more and increase your metabolism. Try not to move around too much to keep your body cool.
What You Can Do at Home
Use fans to move the air around your home.
Try to stay on the lower floor of your multilevel home. Heat rises to the upper floors.
Switch off unnecessary lights to lessen the heat in your rooms.
Try to keep your windows closed and your curtains drawn to block the sun.
If you have money to spare, buy an air conditioning unit.
Where you can go
If you don’t want to buy an air conditioning unit, you can visit the mall or any place that has an air cooling system.
Go to the beach with your friends and family to cool off in the shade and by taking a swim.
If the beach is too far from your place, you can visit water amusement parks near you.
Going to an ice skating rink is also a good idea.
When there’s a heatwave in your area, you have to make sure to keep yourself hydrated all the time. Drink lots of water even if you’re not thirsty. You don’t have to spend money to buy an air cooling system for your home. There are a lot of alternatives you can do to keep your home and your family heatwave safe.