Southern California is known for its heat waves. During these uncomfortably hot episodes, people are always looking for ways to beat the heat. Staying cool is not just for comfort, excessive heat is dangerous. Heat stroke and hyperthermia can be a very real threat during a heatwave. Here are some things you can do to stay cool.
Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. While iced water is your safest bet in cooling you down, things like pop or energy drinks will also help you cool down. Any liquid is better than no liquid. Sweating, though kind of unappealing sometimes, is your body’s way of cooling you down.
Try to stay out of the sun between 11am and 2pm when it’s the hottest time of the day. Limiting your exposure will limit your chances of overheating.
Wearing loose and breathable clothing will help keep you cool. Footwear that won’t leave your feet sweaty will help you feel more comfortable on those hot days. A hat and sunglasses with provide a little shade and eye protection.
The body has pressure points that when cooled with an ice pack or a bottle filled with ice water will cool you off immediately. These are the pressure points:
- Ankles
- Behind the knees
- Wrists
- Elbow bends
- Neck
- Temples
Eating spicy foods doesn’t seem like a thing to do to cool off but it works. spicy foods actually help you cool down. Spicy food increases your blood circulation, which in turn gets you sweaty. And, as we discussed before, sweating cools you down when the sweat cools down.
One of the most popular ways to cool off is to eat a popsicle. It was the best way to cool down when you were a kid, and nothing has changed. Cool down by eating a popsicle! And what makes eating a popsicle an even better choice is that you have so many flavors to choose from.
