health
Wummer is now upon us and scorching days can be quite uncomfortable both at home and at the workplace. The problem with high temperatures in the summer is that they can make you tired and dehydrated…and fast. If you do not take the right steps to beat the heat this summer, then you may just spend most of your time in a hospital or in the doctor’s clinic. Dehydration is probably the most common problem encountered in summer. The good news is that there are simple ways to keep yourself cool in summer months.
Stay hydrated: While it is important to drink the amount of water your body tells you to do, make sure you have a little extra in the summer. You should drink 6-8 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated, but aim to drink more if you’ve been sweating a lot. Keep a supply of cold water in the fridge so that you can keep cool throughout the day and night.
Foods that keep us cool:
Now we are in dire need of food to keep us cool. As important as hydration is, and as nice as the thought of a glass of cold water tastes after a long hot day, water isn’t gonna cut it when you’re hungry. Don’t worry, though, because these foods will keep you cool for the summer and keep you full and happy. Hydrating foods comprise a number of fruits and vegetables that are high in water content. Fruits like watermelon, and strawberries are good options. Similarly, you need to eat lots of vegetables such as cucumber, tomatoes, and cauliflower. You can eat these foods raw in a salad. Alternatively, you can also add yogurt which is also a cooling agent.
Watermelons: Watermelons are not only amazingly delicious and healthy but they are very high in water content, In fact, they are full of water and nourish with you from within as it is packed with healthy nutrients, vitamins and minerals. They are a good source of antioxidants like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and potassium and magnesium. Watermelon is made up mostly of water so it stays cold and when you eat it, it will help you stay cool.
Bananas: Bananas are an astringent food, which means it causes your tissue to shrink, allowing for the absorption of more water which cools your core. Bananas are a great cooling snack if you’re on the go and need something quick to boost your energy and cool you down.
Cucumbers: Another healthy option (with zero calories!) this summer is the cucumber. To be very specific, cucumbers are a storehouse of water and vital nutrients like Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Riboflavin, B-6, Folate, Pantothenic acid, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Zinc and Silica. If you’re not much of a water drinker, eat a few slices of cucumber- it’ll fill you up AND cool down your body.
Yogurt: Put down the ice cream and pick up a bowl of yogurt this summer. No, don’t do this just because yogurt is healthier, but because of yogurt’s high water content. It will cool you down more than even ice cream can.
Coconut water: There is no denying that drinking coconut water is a great way to refresh and revitalize your body. The vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes into coconut water make it an effective way to rehydrate and reenergize your body when you have heat stress. Loaded with proteins, cooling agents, sugars and electrolytes, coconut water helps keep your body hydrated. Coconut water is also packed with potassium, which can help you stay hydrated and can ward off heat stroke.
Peppermint: Peppermint is known for its cooling properties due to its high menthol content, which makes one have the sensation of feeling cooler. You can make a hot or iced peppermint tea and drink it throughout the day. While hot tea may seem to make you feel hotter, drinking hot drinks may help you to sweat more and help to cool down your body.
Buttermilk: Drinking buttermilk or low-fat yogurt may help to cool down your body and improve metabolism. It’s also full of probiotics, vitamins, and minerals that will help to restore your body’s natural energy if you’re feeling drained by the heat. Besides foods, there are also some other ways to keep your body cool:
Wear light coloured clothing: Wearing light coloured clothing in the summer months can help your body absorb less of the surrounding heat. Not just that, it also allows heat to dissipate from the body at a faster rate. This means that when your body overheats, light coloured clothing help get rid of heat from your body a lot faster. Natural fabrics like cotton and linen are more breathable and will help you to stay cool.
Enjoy a cool shower: If you wish to cool yourself down on a hot summer’s day, have a cool shower – not a cold shower. Bear in mind that a cold shower only cools the surface of our skin. It will not drop the temperature within our body (called core temperature). Some people even advocate a shower that is just about cool enough to feel a little warm. A cool shower before bed is a great idea, as is spraying your sheets with water using a spray bottle. Alternatively, open a window if it is safe to do so, or use a fan on a timer to help you sleep better in warmer temperatures.