Keep your cool
If the summer months feel like a never-ending battle between you and the searing heat, take heed of these top tips to help you keep your cool.
Words by Natasha Were
Get wet
Pool, sea or cold bath – if there is water nearby, get in it and stay in it. It's a scientific fact that water conducts heat away from the body 20 times faster than air, so even if it feels like a warm caress, it’s a cooler option than staying dry.
Hydrate right
Replacing fluids lost through sweat is essential - but avoid coffee and alcohol (they are diuretics) and sodas (which decrease your body's ability to store water). When you tire of plain old H2O, try adding lemon and lime or sprigs of mint, with plenty of ice.
Misting machines
Perfect for chilling in the backyard or on the porch, these systems use an electric fan to blow a steady mist of moisture across your outdoor space, creating a pleasant cooling breeze whenever you need it.
Cool clothing
Dress for comfort as well as style. Natural fabrics like cotton and linen are breathable and won’t make you sweat the way synthetics can. Better still, choose bamboo clothing – it’s moisture-wicking, fast-drying and its antibacterial properties prevent unpleasant odours.
Folding fans
Cultivate your cool-as-a-cucumber character with an old-school folding fan. Perfectly portable and delightfully coy, it’s the ideal accessory to add a little mystery to a hot, sultry evening.
Cooling towels
Run it under the tap, wring it out and give it a snap – and like magic your towel will start to cool. Available in various sizes, cooling towels will help keep you fresh while working out (or hanging out) in the heat.
Soothing sunscreen
Gone are the days of thick, white gloopy sunscreen. A new generation of gel formulations glide on easily, making light work of protecting you from those UV rays, while additives like cucumber and aloe calm burnt skin and lend a cooling sensation when applied.
Iced treats
On blisteringly hot days we all scream for ice cream. There’s really no better excuse for indulging. But if you’re counting calories or leaving out the lactose, a fruity sorbet is just as fresh and not quite as naughty.
Gel packs
Not just for sprains and strains, ice or gel packs provide instant relief when the mercury climbs. Chill in the freezer, then apply to pressure points on the wrists and neck to lower your core temperature by several degrees.
Facial spritz
Feeling red and shiny of face? Puff a cool mist across your visage with a canned facial spritz, or go the DIY route and keep a spray bottle full of water in the fridge for a handy ice-cold fresh-me-up.
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