You can’t change the weather, but, there are things you can do to stay as cool as possible, when temperatures begin to soar:
· Check your local weather forecast, and heed heat advisories.
· Stay hydrated, and drink room-temperature water regularly.
· Limit physical activities to cooler parts of the day.
· Eat light meals consisting of cold foods high in water content – salads/fruits, such as melons, strawberries, and oranges/dairy, such as milk, yogurt and cottage cheese.
· Avoid alcohol and caffeinated foods and drinks
· Wear layers of light-colored, loose-fitting clothing made from natural fibers. Cotton and linen are the best. Cover your head with a sun hat, when you do go outside.
· If you don’t have air-conditioning at home – spend time in places that do – a shopping mall or a public building like a library, are good places to hang out in the heat.
· Use fans strategically – they can circulate air, but, if the temperature is very high, they will just circulate hot air.
· Close windows, drapes and blinds to block out heat, particularly at windows where the sun comes pouring through.
· Avoid generating more heat within your home by unplugging electrical devices when not in use, avoiding cooking on the stovetop or in the oven.
· Heat rises, so, stay on lowest level of your home.
· Use a cool, dampened washcloth to keep your skin cool. Keep some in the refrigerator to use , as needed. Take a cool shower or bath, when you can.
· Listen to your body – if you’re feeling overheated or thirsty, do something about it. Rapidly cool yourself by putting your hands and feet in cold water. Wrists and ankles have lots of pulse points where blood vessels are close to the skin, so you will cool down more quickly.