Long, bright days, flowering meadows, a huge range of fruit at the market, relaxed days at the lake and balmy barbecue evenings - summer offers us so many pleasures. Only sometimes it overdoes it with the heat. Then it makes us sweat and the heat robs us of energy and concentration. We have some advice to help you keep a cool head.
Drink plenty - and the right kind
Preferably water or thin juice spritzers made from one part juice and two parts water. Fresh mint enhances the cooling effect. Drinks should not be ice-cold and it is better to avoid ice cubes. Alcohol and coffee should also be avoided on hot days.
Eat light
Water-rich, plant-based dishes put less strain on the body and refresh it. Watermelon and cucumber are popular summer classics! You should avoid spicy dishes as they can also make you sweat.
Dress for summer
Loose, airy, light-colored clothing made from natural materials such as linen or thin cotton is particularly comfortable to wear in hot weather.
Take a lukewarm shower
Ice-cold showers cause the blood vessels to contract quickly in order to retain the heat in the body, resulting in increased sweating after cooling down. It is therefore better to only shower lukewarm and not dry the skin completely after showering - this has an additional cooling effect.
Cooling your wrists
Running cold water over your pulse provides an extra freshness boost. Also works with a cooling pad.
Sports time
If you want to exercise outside, it's best to do so in the morning or possibly in the evening when it's cooler. Under no circumstances should you do sport in the midday heat, as this is a health risk. Swimming is of course particularly suitable in temperatures above 30 degrees.
Water spray bottle
A refillable water spray bottle provides a little refreshment in between - natural essential oils such as mint or lemon enhance the effect.
Prepare a cooling bottle
Simply turn the hot water bottle into a cool bottle and fill it with cold water instead of warm water - if necessary, put it in the freezer for a short time.
Disconnect appliances from the mains
Even in sleep mode, PCs, laptops, televisions and the like constantly produce heat. It is therefore best to unplug them completely when they are not in use.
Hang up laundry outside
Damp laundry in the home leads to higher humidity in the room and the temperature is then perceived as warmer. If possible, it is therefore best to hang laundry outside.
Ventilate correctly
It is best to ventilate late in the evening, at night and early in the morning; after 11 a.m., windows should only be opened for shock ventilation. However, windows should generally remain closed during the day to keep the heat out. Opaque blinds or roller blinds, or even better external roller shutters, also reduce the heat.
