With the mercury rising, folk may be wondering the best ways to keep cool. And considering we’ve another heatwave just around the corner, now is the best time to find out how to minimise the adverse effects.
There’s a lot of advice out there on what to do, but the tips from The British Red Cross are what stands out. It reminds us to eat light meals, which help us feel cooler.
You should be eating well-balanced, regular meals. In particular, you should eat food with a high water content.
This would include strawberries, cucumber, celery, and lettuce, among others, to help keep you cool. Soups and stews – although they may seem counterintuitive to eat due to how hot they are – have high fluid contents and so can also cool you down.
Other ways to stay safe and keep cool according to British Red Cross
Be clever in the sun
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Wear a hat, sun cream, and loose-fitting clothing.
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Avoid being in the sun from 11am to 3pm, to avoid getting heatstroke.
Stay damp
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Heat leaves through the skin, so if you can cool it down you’re on to a winner.
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Wearing a wet t-shirt can help, as can cooling spray.
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Have a cool shower.
Stay hydrated
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Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine and alcohol as these dehydrate you.
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Dehydration symptoms include a dry mouth, headaches, dizziness or confusion.
Keep your home cool
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Keep blinds and windows shut during the heat of the day, particularly where the sun shines.
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Open windows and doors on opposite sides of the house to create air flow.
Heat stroke vs heat exhaustion
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Heat exhaustion is when we lose water, salt, and sugars through sweating. It can be treated by drinking fluids, avoiding the sun, and knowing how to cool down.
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Heat stroke is a little more dangerous and happens when the body’s temperature becomes too high and cannot cool itself. Symptoms include confusion, headache, nausea, and muscle cramps.
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