Staying Healthy During the Hot Weather

 

Since November, the weather has been hot and unbearable to many. Its effect on students is of another dimension because of the daily treks to and fro the campus. Most people have resorted to using sunscreen, umbrellas and so on, to avoid the harsh ultraviolet rays and heat waves from the sun. 

Apart from these highlighted preventive mechanisms and tools, there are other ways to stay healthy and keep cool in this hot weather. It is important to take note of these tips now because of the emerging harmattan period. It is slowly getting to the time when most places will be dry and hot in the afternoons and dry and cold in the mornings.

One major way of staying healthy in this heat is to stay hydrated at all times. Drinking lots of water is very important even though you don’t feel thirsty. The only way to know if you are drinking enough water is if you monitor the colour of your urine. The colour of the urine should be pale and almost colourless. If your doctor limits your fluids, then make sure you check how much to drink during hot weather. Avoiding alcoholic, hot, or sugary drinks including tea and coffee is also necessary because they can make dehydration worse.  It is important to carry a bottle of water with you wherever you are headed. 

Wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes made from natural fibres like cotton helps to keep the body cool. Taking cold showers in the afternoons and evenings after a long day of classes and trekking under the sun is important. It keeps the body cool and has a way of giving a person relief. Eating certain types of food, especially in smaller quantities is also another way of staying healthy during the hot weather. It is advised to eat cool foods such as salads and fruits and any other food should be eaten in small quantities as heavy meals will need more energy to digest – this can cause internal heat.

These are a few tips on how to stay healthy during the hot weather but as time passes, harmattan will come in with its cold and dryness which should take away some of the heat, especially during the nights. Though the cold weather might be creeping in, you should still avoid direct sunlight on your body as it also has its health disadvantage.

So always remember to stay hydrated and avoid over-stressing the body.