7 tips to beat the heat and stay cool

As the heat wave continues to take its toll in several parts of India, we bring you some quick tips to win the battle and stay cool until the monsoons arrive.

This year, the ugly heat wave has already claimed over 2300 lives in the country so far.

The delayed monsoon and soaring temperatures are causing severe health problems and it is advisable that you take special care before you step out of the comfort of your homes.

Here are some quick and easy tips to help you beat the heat and stay refreshed until the rains arrive.

Avoid dark colours

We were taught in school that darker colours tend to absorb more heat.

Remember this in the summer and wear only light coloured clothing.

The trick will help you avoid many a sweaty situation.

Wear loose clothes

While personal style and looking presentable are important things, they should not cost you your health.

Body hugging clothes in the summer can cause a bunch of problems from body rashes and headaches to yeast infections and fainting.

Wearing loose clothes, especially cotton, is a sure way to enjoy the summer instead of letting it bring you down.

Soak your feet in ice/cold water

This neat trick helps you keep cool and could easily replace turning the air conditioner on for a few hours.

Fill a bucket with cold water or ice and soak your feet in it for 15 to 20 minutes right before you sleep.

The coolness will transfer to your body, instantly bringing your body temperature down making you feel cooler.

It is the same principle our moms apply when they put cold cloths on our foreheads when we have a fever. In this case it even saves electricity!

Hydrate and have lots of ice cream!

The body undergoes rapid heat loss during the summer especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors.

Carry a bottle of water wherever you go, drink lots of fresh juices and milkshakes rich in electrolytes to replenish your body of its minerals.

Indulge yourself in ice-cream since it serves the dual purpose of putting more sugar in your system and cooling you down.

Refrigerate your bed sheets!

Ever get the urge to stick your head in the fridge in the summer?

Well, work it the other way around. This offbeat idea works wonders.

Fold your bed sheet and place it in your refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes before you intend to sleep.

Placing it in a plastic bag might be preferable to avoid it from catching the smell of foods stored alongside it.

In fact, you could even stick the top or shirt you are planning to wear in the fridge right before you head out on a hot summer day!

Avoid caffeine and alcohol

One of the things that caffeine and alcohol have in common is that they facilitate dehydration.

Add that to the already hot weather and you are sure to develop headaches.

Cross ventilate

Staying in closed spaces in the hot summer air can make you feel claustrophobic.

If you don't want to turn the air conditioner on all day long, cross ventilate.

Open the windows and place a fan across from them. The natural breeze and the fan will create a cooling cross breeze.

If you're feeling whacky you can place more fans across from each other and create a mini wind storm for you to enjoy.

Photograph: Jayanta Shaw/Reuters