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The 5 Best Ways to Deal with Extreme Heat

By Admin on July 11, 2012 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Summer is in full swing and extreme heat warnings are happening around the country. Hot weather means it's time to hang outside. But being out all day in the sun can be trouble if you're not careful.

Heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and heat cramps are all common during hot weather and they can be dangerous. Being outside without a plan on how to cool off can be a recipe for disaster.

But extreme temperatures don't have to mean you have to bar the door and sit in front of the air conditioning. Just remember these 5 tips to stay safe in the heat.

1. Hydrate

Dehydration is dangerous and can lead to many other health problems. Drinking water throughout the day, even before you are thirsty, helps your body replenish needed fluid.

2. Sweat it Out

Perspire, glow, glisten - whatever you call it, humans sweat when it gets hot. It's an important function that helps the body cool down when temperatures rise. If you're not sweating, you're not cooling down and that's dangerous. If you notice you aren't sweating, seek out some shade and drink some water until you can feel the perspiration.

3. Eat Well

The downside of drinking a lot of water is something called hyponatremia caused by too little sodium. Sure too much is bad but your cells still need it to function. If you're sweating a lot you're losing salt so make sure to eat a little while you're chugging water. Light meals served cool or at room temperature are best for keeping your body cool.

4. Start Early

The hottest part of the day is generally a few hours before and after the sun reaches its peak. If you're planning a lot of activity like gardening or hiking, try to start as early as you can and avoid the midday heat.

5. Dress Right

Light and breathable fabrics will make spending time outside more comfortable. If you're doing strenuous activity, sweat-wicking fabrics may be good but if you won't be sweating a lot, they'll only make it harder to cool down. Lighter colors will also help you keep cooler than dressing in an all-black ensemble.

Staying cool in extreme heat will keep you happy and healthy while working on that tan. We'll drink (some water) to that.

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