With Brits so unused to the warm climes, keeping cool seems like an impossible dream.
With summer 2013 turning into an unexpected heat wave in the UK, keeping cool has never been so important.
Long sunny days with no rain is a near-miracle for the British shores, and most of us are pretty besides ourselves with this unprecedented Mediterranean weather.
That being said, with temperatures reaching well into the 30’s across London and other parts of the UK, we’re definitely feeling the heat.
Sweaty bodies under the overbearing sun and dehydration are some of the unpleasantries we have to deal with in and out of the office or during our daily routine. With Brits so unused to the warm climes, keeping cool seems like an impossible dream.
But don’t worry! DESIblitz are here with our recommended (in theory) tricks and tips to keep you staying cool wherever you spend your day.
Exercise in the Evening
Long hot days can mean only one thing: cool breezy evenings and nights. Ah yes, when it comes outdoor exercise the last hurdle you need is the weather working against you.
Opt to change your routines to suit the late evening or the early morning when it is much cooler.
Keep covered in light and loose-fitting clothes
Brits have an unmistakable habit of stripping off whenever sun-rays appear in the sky. But this can be more harmful for your health than you might think. Wearing loose-fitting clothes can help keep you cool and protect your skin from harmful rays. Cotton is the best in these cases, as it is a much cooler fabric than synthetics.
Don’t wear black
One handy tip to stay cool is to opt for lighter coloured clothes from your wardrobe. Dark colours absorb more heat than light colours. This will keep you feeling hot. Go for white, pastel or beige for a cooler and more on-trend look. Also, baggier and loose-fitting clothing works well in hot weather.
Cooling drinks
Drinks as much water as possible to keep dehydrated. Freeze water in plastic bottles and when you go out in the heat, take one with you. This will give you a nice cool supply of cold water as the ice melts slowly.
Drink ice teas, cold water with freshly squeezed lemon juice, and other drinks such as coconut water which has natural cooling properties, replaces lost minerals lost from perspiration. Avoid too much caffeine and alcohol as these will promote dehydration.
Stay refreshed with cold water
Spraying your face with cold water is a great way to keep you feeling cool. The best to way to do this is with a sterilised spray bottle filled with water that you can take with you out and about. Keep it in the refrigerator to ensure a refreshing cool down in the sun. You can use the spray on other parts of your skin, especially your wrists and elbows and the joints, where you feel hotter.
Get yourself a fan
This might be a bit of an obvious choice, but even if you reside in an air-conditioned area, fans can help with circulation, ensuring cool air travels across the room.
If you are one of the lucky ones to have a ceiling fan (like the ones from the homeland), running it counter-clockwise causes a current of cool air to push downwards and create a draft, making it more effective.
Over-use of fans however can have an adverse effect as the constant movement of air particles will actually give them more energy causing them to give off heat. So remember to turn your fan off when you leave your house in the morning!
Another handy ice trick is to put cups of ice in front of the fan. This will allow a chilled breeze to waft across the room, which will definitely help you cool down in soaring temperatures.
Eat spicy food
This may come as a surprise but spicy food including Desi curries and food with chillies in it actually can stimulate receptors in the mouth. This then enhances your circulation which triggers sweating and in turn cools your body down.
So, eating Desi food and any other food which is spicy can help with the cooling process. Also, consuming hot drinks like tea in the hot weather can also assist with cooling you down.
Keep the curtains closed
Keeping the windows covered during the day will keep your room in shade and stop the glaring sun from getting in. If you are not too keen on the vampire lifestyle, draw the curtains before you leave the house so that it will stay relatively cool during the day.
Go eco-friendly
Electrical items constantly give off heat when in use. So turn off lights and laptops and TV’s unless you really need them.
Keep the door open
Keeping the door open helps to encourage a regular circulation around the house. It can drastically lower the temperature of a room and make it more bearable. Watch you don’t leave front doors unattended though!
Lie on the floor
If you are really finding the heat unbearable, lie down on the ground. The ground stays relatively cool because hot air rises.
Sleeping on the ground may also help during hot nights. Bamboo is a known Oriental cure to keep temperatures down as it is cool to the touch. Investing in a Bamboo foam mattress which promises to keep you cool might be the answer to a perfect night’s sleep.
Soak your clothes
Wet clothes keep you cool as the water evaporates. However, this might not be the best solution for a work environment. Instead, try soaking a pair of socks in cold water or even a hair band, to keep you refreshingly cool throughout the day.
When it comes to staying cool, it pretty much is about living smartly. All of these tips should work in theory. But one of the best ways to remain cool is not to stay outside for prolonged periods, or at least move around in air-conditioned spaces. Whatever your cooling fix, don’t forget to enjoy and make the most of the summer days while they last!
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