Top 10 Life Saving Hacks To Beat The Heatwave!

According to experts, heatwaves are becoming more likely and more extreme because of human-induced climate change. The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began, and temperatures are set to keep rising unless sharp cuts are made to carbon emissions. While NASA on the other hand keep us posted for Sun's activity with reports of solar storms recently. High humidity is killing us good thing we got plenty of hacks to keep ourselves safe.

---

1. Stay hydrated. Water is vital to keep you both healthy and cool. When you are dehydrated, the amount of blood flowing through your cardiovascular system decreases, which makes your heart work harder, increasing your core body temperature. On a regular day, most healthy adults need between 1/2 and 3/4 of a gallon (2-3 liters) of water.

2. Eat some salads. The more calories you eat, the hotter your body will get. Therefore, try to eat light or have some salads. It will keep you cooler. Salads also often contain foods that have a high water content,like cucumber, lettuce, and tomatoes. These foods both replenish your electrolytes and help you stay hydrated.

3. Stay in a ventilated area or use a fan. Fans cool us down by speeding up the evaporation of sweat from our bodies, but they do not work equally well in all situations.

4. Put on a wet cloth on the pressure points. A well-placed bandana that's been soaked in cold water will work wonders to cool you off. Be sure to tie it around a major pressure point (ankles, wrists, neck, or elbows) and it can provide an instant chill.

5. Wear light colored dresses or shirts. Light colored cloth absorbs less of the sun’s radiation than darker clothing and is  lightweight. Materials that “breathe” and allow air to flow through the fabric helps keep you cool by allowing air to circulate without getting trapped, letting it flow past your skin and carry the warmth away from your body while cooler air flows in behind it.

6. Wear sunscreen. Sunburn limits the body’s ability to get rid of heat by compromising skin circulation and sweating. Ultraviolet radiation absorbed by the skin can also damage genetic material and increase the risk of cancer. Experts recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. You should smear it for about 20 minutes before you go out in the sun. This is because sunscreens are usually emulsion formulas  that need to dry and physically bind to skin to form a film.

7. Time to go green. Go to some places or areas with trees and plants. As trees and plants absorb water through their roots and transpire it out of their leaves. This makes their immediate surroundings cooler as the heat from the surrounding air is used to help the water evaporate. Trees also provide cooling shade. During the summer, only 10% to 30% of the sun’s energy reaches the ground below the tree.

8. Minimize your exercise routine. High humidity aggravates the situation by not allowing the sweat to evaporate readily from your skin, which pushes your body temperature even higher. This can lead to cramps, fainting, or, in the worst cases, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Better to just give yourself the day off.

9. Have some cold snacks.This ones are easiest to follow. Other than drinking plenty of water and eating some salads or juicy fruits, you can go for  a scoop of ice cream, or both in a cup of halo- halo. It is a popular cold dessert in the Philippines made up of crushed ice, evaporated milk or coconut milk, and mixed with various fruits. You can drink your favorite cold drinks, prefer not to be alcoholic when at work.

10. Aloe ice cubes. Despite one's best efforts to reapply sunscreen as directed, being out in the sun all day can still lead to sunburn and skin damage. The medicinal use of aloe vera to help treat skin ailments can be tracked all the way back to the 4th century B.C. The antiseptic aloe vera is ultimately a wonder plant: In skin care applications it acts as a cleanser, astringent, and moisturizer, and it can stimulate the growth of new skin tissue, while also calming the nervous system. For an extra cooling effect, mix water and aloe vera in ice cube trays, and pop them into the freezer for use when needed.

Remember to stay safe, and healthy 😘