Keeping Cool This Summer

Summer is here and the heat is getting unbearable. In the tropics the heat starts to rise by ten in morning until three in the afternoon and then starts to taper off. The hottest part of the day is unbearable and we need to cool. To keep us cool during summer, avoid the sun at the hottest part of the day by doing our activities indoor or under the roof. If we stay indoor we can keep the ventilation better by opening the doors and windows wide open. This will facilitate air circulation since hot air moves up and in the process air is suck into the room. Bathing is one thing that can cool down the body as long as there is enough water in the tap. We can take a bath as many as we want or we can dip in the pool all day long. More frequent bathing, though, will make our skin dry. Prevent it by not using soap or use soap sparingly. If we bath more than once a day, it is advised to use soap only on areas that sweat a like like the armpit and the inguinal areas since body odor emanates from these areas. Long cold bath before going to bed will give you a very comfortable sleep. Sweat will attract mosquitoes and will bother you in our sleep. Always use mosquito net even during summer. They bite most at the middle of the night.

Activities that cannot be avoided while the sun is high need to be planned well. Use sun protecting lotion and drink plenty of water. The best guide to see if you body needs more water is the thirst and the amount of urine voided. Sometimes we forget to take water when we are busy though we are thirsty. Urine color, amount and frequency will guide us about the water content of our body. If the body lacks water the urine is less frequent, low in volume and highly colored. If we notice this, water or fruit juice has to be taken to replenish our body water. It is best to replace body water with water plus fruit juice. Plain water in large amount will create imbalance on our electrolyte. This will be observed as feeling of fatigue. Fruit juice will give us potassium and little sodium electrolytes. Salt or sodium chloride is lost in the sweat and it should be replaced if we sweat a lot through eating salty food.

Get outside once the sun has set and feel the cool breeze of the afternoon. Socialize or engage in some sports activities. Summer sports fest is only around the corner. Joining the team or be a mere spectator is a cool activity at this time of the year.