Keep cool and carry on! How to survive a heatwave
While some people will happily bask
in endless days of sunshine, many people find it hard to cope with the
relentless heat and humidity. So, what can you do to prevent yourself from
melting under the blazing sun? Try these eight tricks for starters…
1. Go fan mad
If you’ve got them, switch on box and
ceiling fans, which will encourage cool, fresh air to circulate around your
home. The Intsun handheld fan will
help you to keep your cool during those sweaty commutes (don’t forget to buy your GP rechargeable batteries!),
while this Sealey desk fan will
provide a welcome breeze at work should the aircon go into meltdown. And don’t
forget the little ones! We love this cute teddy-bear portable fan, which
is safe for younger members of the family.
2. DIY AC
Why spend a fortune on an AC unit at
home when you can make one for free!? Fill up a shallow bowl with ice cubes,
place it in front of your fan and voila! As the ice melts and evaporates, cool
and crisp air will fill the room. Bliss!
3. Spray it again
For a quick cooldown fix, carry a
spray bottle of water with you wherever you go and spritz whenever you feel a
bit too warm. Keep it ultra cool by filling up the bottle the night before and
storing in your fridge. Plain water will do the job, but a hydrating facial
mist is even better – you can even make your own by popping some fresh cucumber
slices into a bottle of spring water, leave for 20 minutes and then decant into
a spray bottle.
4. Cool your body
If you’re hot at home, submerging
your feet in cold water will help to reduce your body temperature. And when you
need to cool down in the office, run your wrists under cold running water –
because the blood vessels in the inner wrists are close to the skin, it will
quickly bring down your body temperature.
5. Switch off
Electrical accessories and appliances
can throw out a lot of heat, whether it’s a computer, incandescent light bulbs
or TVs. So, always switch them off when they’re not in use – this will
keep your home cool, plus you’ll save on your energy bills!
6. Load up on electrolytes
You don’t need us to tell you to
drink more water when it’s hot. However, if you find you’re sweating a lot or
are exercising outdoors, you should rehydrate with a drink containing
electrolytes as well as water. This is because electrolytes – essential salts
and minerals – are lost through sweating, but are key to our bodies functioning
normally. If you have time, try experimenting with your own recipe – there are
some helpful tips here.
7. Don’t forget your four-legged
friend!
Remember: humans aren’t the only ones
who suffer in this heat! Our poor pets also have the disadvantage of being
covered in thick fur, so help to keep your pooch as cool as a cucumber by
taking them out for a walk in the early morning or evening rather than the
midday sun, preferably wearing this fetching Aqua CoolKeeper cooling dog collar. If
it’s super hot, try adding some ice cubes to their bowl, and set up a small
paddling pool in the shade outside for them to cool off in. Damp towels to lie
on will also do the trick. Did you know you can even buy doggy ice cream?
Guaranteed to get tails wagging...
8. Take a dip on the wild side
Move over paddling pools...wild
swimming in a lake, river or sea is one of the best ways to cool down in this
heat, plus it’s a perfect activity for outdoor enthusiasts. Find the local
spots here – and don’t forget to not only stay safe but pack your PowerBank and batteries to keep tech topped up while you’re out and about.
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