Summer’s here and things are heating up!
Of course, everyone loves the holidays, but it’s not all fun and games when the temperatures rise too high.
Check out this guide for beating the heat to make sure you stay happy and healthy in Dubai this summer.
A for Air con
It’s obvious and it’s easy, but it works.
Blast the air con to feel cooler and more comfortable on those super hot days.
B for Blinds
Keep them drawn, especially during the hottest part of the day.
When the sun beats down through your window, it heats the inside of your home. But, covering them with blinds, drapes or curtains will help keep it out.
C for Clothes
Dress for the weather.
Choose something loose and lightweight so it won’t stick to you in the heat. Cotton is a great choice too - it absorbs moisture to keep your body cool.
You can even try popping your clothes in a plastic bag, then inside the freezer for some instant relief from the heat.
And, don’t forget to wear a hat to protect your head from the sun!
D for Drinks
Cold drinks feel great in the heat, but to properly cool down, you’ll want to choose a hot drink instead.
It might sound strange, but here’s how it works...
Something hot will raise your core body temperature and make you sweat more. When this sweat evaporates, you’ll feel cooler.
So, next time you reach for a soda, try making (decaf) tea instead.
E for Eating spicy food
Eating spicy food works in the same way.
The body interprets spicy food as being hot, so eating it will make you sweat more. This sweat will evaporate and then you’ll feel cooler.
On the next super hot day, try this fresh burrito bowl. It’s full of summery flavours, and you can add even more chilli to help get that cooling effect.
F for Fans
Obvious, but unbeatable.
Whether you choose a standing one, a handheld one, or one for your desk, you’ll never have to go without a refreshing, cool breeze.
G for Ground
As you probably know, heat rises, so stay as close to the ground as possible to keep cool.
If you live in a house, try setting up a sleeping space downstairs. Live in an apartment? Try putting a mat, mattress or air bed on your bedroom floor instead.
H for Hydration
Drinking water is so important for your health since dehydration can cause dizziness and tiredness, among other symptoms.
There’s much debate around how much water we should drink each day, but 2 litres seems around the right mark.
If you rarely feel thirsty and your urine is pale, you should be drinking enough - the paler it is, the more hydrated you are.
I for Ice cream
A chilled treat is always great for instant relief from the summer heat.
Try this homemade grapefruit and strawberry ice cream to keep cool while enjoying plenty of natural goodness.
J for Just relax
In such high temperatures, it’s often useless trying to work at the hottest times of the day.
Cut yourself some slack, take it easy and chill out while the heat lets up a bit, then jump back into it once things start to cool down again.
K for Keep in the shade
If you have to be outside in those high temperatures, try and keep to the shade, or at least take regular breaks in the shade.
It’ll help you feel cooler - especially if you sit under a tree rather than a building - and it may help to protect your skin from too much sun exposure.
L for Light meals
Digesting a heavy meal takes more energy and can make your body heat up.
Eating lighter meals more often will keep your temperature lower and help you feel less lethargic, making the hot weather much more bearable.
Try this delicious salad and enjoy seasonal flavours with plenty of natural goodness.
M for Makeshift ice pack
Take a plastic water bottle, add tap water until it’s three-quarters full and throw it in the freezer.
You’ll always have a refreshing drink to hand and it’ll stay colder for longer, which is great when you need to bring the bottle out with you.
When it comes to nighttime, try doing the same with a hot water bottle, if you have one. Fill it part way up, put it in the freezer, wrap it in a towel and hug it in bed to cool off.
If you try this hack, it’s important to know that freezing it may cause slight damage to the rubber or seal.
With that in mind, make sure you buy a new one for winter again, just to make sure hot water won’t leak through.
N for No caffeine or alcohol
When the temperatures are high, it’s best to avoid caffeine and alcohol.
They’re both diuretics, which means they make you urinate more often. This extra loss of fluid could increase the chance of dehydration.
So, if you’re looking for a hot drink to enjoy this summer, we recommend going for decaf options.
O for Open windows
You won’t want to do this at the hottest parts of the day, but try and open them early in the morning and late in the evening.
This will let some cooler air inside, making the heat a little more bearable.
P for Pool day
Stay cool by the pool - taking a dip offers lovely relief from the heat, and the kids will have lots of fun splashing about, too.
Even just dunking your feet in the cold water will help you feel cooler in this hot weather.
Q for Quilt
Summer is a great time to switch your bedsheets.
To make sure you can drift off in this heat, you’ll want to choose light-coloured, lightweight linens so the air can move freely through them.
If you need to sleep under a duvet, pick a quilt that’s light and thin to keep as cool as possible.
R for Reduce cooking
Try to stay away from the oven and stove. Since they release heat into your home, they’ll only make you feel warmer - they’ll waste energy too.
If you can, stick to meals that don’t need any cooking. They taste and feel much more refreshing, and they can take less effort to prepare as well.
Why not give this delicious gazpacho a try?
S for Sun cream
Sunscreen is so important for protecting yourself from sunburn and skin damage.
It’s best to go for SPF 50, and you should make sure you use a generous amount, even if you’re only going to be sitting in the shade.
It’s recommended that you reapply it every 2 hours to get maximum protection from those rays.
T for Towels
Wet towels are a great way to cool down your body or even a room.
All you need to do is hang one up and it’ll absorb the heat from any warm air, helping your space feel cooler.
For chilling your body, dunk a towel in cold water then put it in the freezer for a few minutes. When it’s ready, just wrap it around your neck for some immediate relief from the heat.
U for Umbrella
Bring the shade with you!
Umbrellas can be cheap and they’re super easy to carry, so you’ll always have a way of keeping cool while staying protected from the sun’s UV rays.
V for Veggie
Try going veggie this summer.
Not only can veg and fruit be really hydrating, but eating red meat especially can take more energy to digest, which can raise your body temperature.
Opt for veggie dishes like this tasty salad, and you’ll enjoy meals that are refreshing, filling and easy to eat, helping you chill out this summer.
W for Water
Not only should you consume plenty of H2O, but try running cold water over your wrists too. Since this is a pulse point, the cool water will help to lower your body temperature.
Putting a bottle of iced water on your ankles, behind your knees, in your elbow bends, at your neck and on your temples will have the same effect, helping you cool down when it gets too hot.
X for eXercise
If you’re keen to stay fit and healthy this summer, it’s important to make sure you’re exercising in the right way.
If possible, avoid doing anything too strenuous in the heat, especially if you’re going to be outdoors.
If avoiding it isn’t possible, try doing your workout early in the morning before temperatures get too high.
It’s important to make sure you focus on staying hydrated the day and hours before you exercise. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty, hot and sweaty before you drink water - you could already be dehydrated!
Y for Yoga
It’s said that Shitali Pranayama - a yoga breathing technique - can be cooling and calming. By breathing through a rolled tongue, it helps get rid of the heat from your body.
Follow Yoga Lily’s instructions to get the full benefit, or adapt it slightly for a subtle version that’ll help you keep cool on busy trains or in a stuffy elevator.
Z for Zzzzs
Don’t let the heat stop you from sleeping.
Make sure you wear breathable fabric and try going to bed with damp hair. You can always take a cool cloth for your head too.
If that doesn’t help you drift off, try using 2 fans in your bedroom - one facing toward an open window to push out hot air, and one facing inwards with a bowl of ice cubes in front.
This makeshift air con system is bound to help you sleep easy through these hot summer nights.
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