Summertime Coolness

As May approaches, the Indian summer only becomes more ruthless, with the dust storm from the Gulf only adding to our woes. Pallavi Borkar brings you top tips to keep cool this season

AVOID DARK COLOURS
We were taught in school that darker colours tend to absorb more heat. Remember this in the summer and wear only light coloured clothing.  The trick will help you avoid many a sweaty situation.

WEAR LOOSE CLOTHES
While personal style and looking presentable are important things, they should not cost you your health. Body hugging clothes in the summer can cause a bunch of problems from body rashes and headaches to yeast infections and fainting. Wearing loose clothes, especially cotton, is a sure way to enjoy the summer instead of letting it bring you down.

SOAK YOUR FEET IN ICE/COLD WATER
This neat trick helps you keep cool and could easily replace turning the air conditioner on for a few hours. Fill a bucket with cold water or ice and soak your feet in it for 15 to 20 minutes right before you sleep. The coolness will transfer to your body, instantly bringing your body temperature down making you feel cooler. It is the same principle our moms apply when they put cold cloths on our foreheads when we have a fever. In this case it even saves electricity!

HYDRATE AND HAVE LOTS OF ICE CREAM!
The body undergoes rapid heat loss during the summer especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors.  Carry a bottle of water wherever you go, drink lots of fresh juices and milkshakes rich in electrolytes to replenish your body of its minerals. Indulge yourself in icecream since it serves the dual purpose of putting more sugar in your system and cooling you down.

REFRIGERATE YOUR BED SHEETS!
Ever get the urge to stick your head in the fridge in the summer? Well, work it the other way around. This offbeat idea works wonders. Fold your bed sheet and place it in your refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes before you intend to sleep. Placing it in a plastic bag might be preferable to avoid it from catching the smell of foods stored alongside it. In fact, you could even stick the top/shirt you are planning to wear in the fridge right before you head out on a hot summer day!

AVOID CAFFEINE AND ALCOHOL
One of the things that caffeine and alcohol have in common is that they facilitate dehydration. Add that to the already hot weather and you are sure to develop headaches.

CROSS VENTILATE
Staying in closed spaces in the hot summer air can make you feel claustrophobic.  If you don’t want to turn the air conditioner on all day long, cross ventilate! Open the windows and place a fan across from them. The natural breeze and the fan will create a cooling cross breeze. If you’re feeling whacky you can place more fans across from each other and create a mini wind storm for you to enjoy.

CREATE AWESOME COLD WATER SPRAYS
You might recall the giant fans sprinkling rose water from old-school Indian weddings. Resurrect the idea by filling a shallow dish or pan with cold water, rose water even, and placing it right in front of a fan. The wind will pick up miniscule droplets from the liquid creating a cooling mist. Soaking cloth ribbons in cold water and tying them the fan’s casing will also do the trick.

UNPLUG YOUR GADGETS
Electronics, lights in particular, give off heat. You will notice a subtle lowering of the room’s temperature when you turn them off. Take advantage of the longer days, keep the lights turned off!

TAKE FREQUENT SHOWERS
One shower a day may not suffice in the summer. Take showers as frequently as needed. However don’t have too many and avoid very cold bath water as it will leave your skin feeling dry and flaky.

STAY INDOORS
Last but not least, know where to draw the line. If it is too hot outside and your calling isn’t super urgent, simply change your plans. Go out post sunset or just relax at home.

 

Volume 4 Issue 11