Hot Stuff

SOME lucky folk have swimming pools they can dip in and out of and air­con to keep them cool. But for the not­so­lucky 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 scalpafter 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 eat­

Sanchez or Feijóo prepared to pay for power? Who will be the biggest bidder?

I have no view on Catalan Independence. I feel it is a matter for the Catalan and the Spanish people to fight out in whatever way they want, but it could be a very costly decision if they don’t get it right. Then, of course, there is VOX, the far right party. Their declining popularity saw them lose 19 seats. Of course, it seems natural that a centre right party (PP) should see another right wing party as a natural ally, but at what cost? Closing down the Gibraltar border with potentially devastating consequences for the 15,000 workers who cross the border every day to work there? Is that a price worth paying for power? ing 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?

So, what happens now? Well, the new members of parliament will be sworn in on August 17 and King Filipe VI will summon the political leaders to see if a government can for formed: Feijóo will claim that as the winner by a simple majority he should be invited to form a government. But if no agreements can be reached within two months, there will likely be another General election before the end of the year.

I guess that neither of the two leaders would see this as a first choice, so the power games will be going crazy over the coming weeks.

My big concern at the moment is that any price is worth paying, not to get into government, but to get into power. I think I will just stop considering the options and let the universe do its stuff.

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.

Wrists and ankles have lots of pulse points where blood vessels are close to the skin, so you will cool down more quickly.

Have we missed out your favourite fool proof way to staying as cool as cucumber in the summer months? Send us your tips!