3 minute read
Hot Stuff
SOME lucky folk have swimming pools they can dip in and out of and aircon to keep them cool. But for the not so lucky out there, here are a few tips that might help keep you cool during the soaring temperatures.
Most of us keep our curtains and blinds closed on sunny windows to stop the sun from breaking in too much. Lots of houses have shutters but if your windows are shutterless cardboard can be just as effective.
Though you may be inclined to cool down with a tall glass of iced tea, ice cream or watermelon on a sweltering summer's day, the effect is wonderful but doesn’t last long and before you know it you are back where you started – a little bit too hot under the collar! This is due to your internal temperature. When it is cooled too rapidly your body ends up compensating by raising your temperature and the result is you feel hotter.
Have you ever lay awake at night wondering why some cultures in the hottest locations on earth enjoy hot and spicy foods?
These people have a trick up their sleeves! Spicy foods actually make you sweat and in turn, this helps to cool you down faster. Eating spicy foods works differently as it raises your internal temperature to match the temperature outside.
Some people sweat from the face the lips, forehead, nose, and scalp after eating hot and spicy foods. This causes your blood circulation to increase and you start sweating, once the moisture has evaporated you have cooled off.
Whilst some might not fancy eating hot food on a scorching hot summer day it may be worth it to cool down. What do you think? Will you be rustling up a spicy chilli or vindaloo to see if it works?
If spicy foods aren’t your thing, try popping your feet into a bowl of ice cubes and water. The shockingly cold temperature will cool you off quickly and reset your body's temperature so you feel comfortable even a few hours later.
The soles of your feet are especially sensitive to temperature changes, so the icecold foot bath could be all it takes to cool down.
In the sweltering country of Morocco in North Africa, they battle the midday heat by sipping on sweetened mint tea and have been doing so in the desert for thousands of years. Mint has natural cooling properties that make it fresh and cooling on the nasal passages.
It can be difficult to sleep in hot weather. If it's too hot or too cold your internal body temperature may be affected disrupting your ability to drop off and stay asleep.
The best plan is to sleep in the lowest level of your home as the heat rises. Also, make sure all electrical items are turned off and not in standby mode as this still creates heat
Some who struggle terribly with the heat resort to taking sheets and bedding straight out of the washing machine and sleeping in a damp bed.
But, keeping things damp need not just be a night time resort as a damp cotton tshirt can provide some relief during the day.
Heat escapes through the skin, which is the largest organ in the body. So, the more skin you can cool down, the better.
If you'd rather not walk around in wet clothing, you can buy a cooling spray, or just having a cool shower can work just as well.
Have we missed out your favourite fool proof way to staying as cool as cucumber in the summer months? Send us your tips!
Richard is in his 50’s, a retired forensic accountant from Scotland. After falling into an alcoholic coma, following a binge, he knew he had a choice, keep drinking and die, or stop and live. Here is his story…
“I started drinking aged 15. The sensation was amazing, I loved the feeling, was immediately hooked, and wanted more. I come from a big family, and a culture that promotes the use of alcohol. It wasn’t frowned upon, and for many years my behaviour wasn’t unusual.
I had a senior position in a prominent role and managed to keep a lid on my alcohol use. It became a chronic problem when I retired from work – that is when I became a daily drinker (morning, noon, and night). Gambling could have become a problem, but I needed the money for alcohol. Eating became a chore. Relationships became a thing of the past. Alcohol always came first.
