Coping with the heat

Coping with the heat

The most important thing in this heat is: Take it easy. 

We all have to work even if the weather is like this but try and take it a bit easy. Your boss might not like that but I'm not suggesting that you sit in a deck chair in the coolest place.

Keep hydrated! Drink plenty of cool water, 2 litres would be good, particularly when you are sweating a lot. Don't forget to take a bit of extra salt.  Keep your alcohol consumption at a low level because the heat can do strange things to you and put extra pressure on your heart.

If you have to exercise then do it either early morning before it gets too hot or late in the evening when it is not too hot anymore. Exercising in the full heat of the day is very bad for you. Several people have died of heat exhaustion after exercising in the heat of the day. Don't forget to protect yourself sufficiently from the sun, particularly your head. A cap or sunhat does a good service and might protect your neck and eyes as well. It is not enough to wear sunglasses when you are out in the sun for a long time.

Wear loose clothes which don't cling to the body if possible to have a bit of airflow around your body. This helps cooling your skin and therefore keeps your body temperature down. Don't wrap up your baby but protect it from too much sun by an umbrella or big sunhat.

If you have the possibility do it like they do it in hot countries: Have a siesta at the hottest time of the day, between 12 and 2 pm, draw the curtains and have a nap. Please don't do this in the office, but when you have time at home. otherwise: Try and stay cool and wait till the sun goes down!