Cool It

It is very important to watch what you eat. Eating big-protein laden meals forces your body to up its metabolic rate thereby generating heat. This is why you feel hot after a heavy meal. The alternative to this is eating smaller,more frequent meals. The hotter it gets,the more one should avoid heat generating alcohol,caffeine and fried food. Instead,eating juicy foods like cucumber and watermelon will cool you down.

The temperature sensors of the body lie at the back of the neck. So,if you have long hair,it is a good idea to tie it in a bun and try things like wearing a cap backwards,raising your collar or placing a wet handkerchief on the back of your neck. This should help fool your body’s heat sensors.

As far as staying hydrated is concerned,Dr Sharad Agarhkedkar,former president,Indian Medical Association says,”Increase fluid intake by one and a half times and drink a glass of water every two hours or so.” He further warns,”Be very particular about the water source of drinking water. Tanker-water can be dangerous if not boiled first. If you use filters,make sure they are regularly serviced.” Another thing worth remembering is that when you sweat,you lose salt. Since sweating can disturb your sodium-water balance,replenish it by snacking on salty foods. This is especially important if you are doing a considerable amount of physical work during the day. Dr Sachin Shah says,“Drinks like lime juice,mango panna,iced tea are natural and much better beverages to consume during the summer instead of carbonated drinks. This is especially so in the case of children.”

Sunburns are common during this season. In case one gets burnt,”a mix of black tea and fresh mint can help,I read about it on a website and its really soothing”,says middle school teacher,Pushpita Toade. It’s easy to make — pour four cups boiling water over two cups of fresh mint leaves and four tea bags. Cover,it let stand for 10 minutes,then strain. Let cool,and transfer to a glass jar. Apply to sunburned skin with a wash cloth or cotton balls. This mixture should last in the refrigerator for a few weeks so keeping some handy is a good idea. In case of sunburn pain,aloe vera is your best solution. Apply a product containing 95 per cent to 100 per cent pure aloe vera. Its anti-inflammatory effects will ease the pain.