It’s hot. What are you doing about it?
In the last few weeks I heard a lot of people complaining that it’s hot. Not just in Montreal, but around the world. It’s so hot that the air smells differently. Let me share with you some tricks that I picked up in places where the thermometer shows over 40°C (100°F).
Drink
I mention it because many people don’t know when to drink. They wait until they are thirsty, which is a mistake. You must drink regularly, regardless of whether you feel the thirst or not. During the hottest summer days, keep a full glass next to you almost all the time. Doctors recommend that you drink about 2 liters every day, which is roughly 8 glasses of 250ml (8 ounces).
If you wait too long, you’ll start by feeling weak, tired and irritable. You may even get muscle cramps and increased heart rate. Don’t wait. Also, avoid too much physical effort.
No Air Conditioner… Oh Well
If you don’t have an air conditioner, it’s not the end of the world. The human body can take a lot more than you think. For the record, I don’t even own a fan.
To fight the discomfort of sweating, refresh yourself every few hours. If you don’t have access to a shower or it is impractical, use a slightly wet washcloth and dry your skin afterwards. You should carry one with you to work. Remember the movie “The Book of Eli”.
If it’s an option, close the blinds or curtains. Sunlight heats up the Earth, so imagine what it does to your floor and furniture (or your car’s dashboard)! When outside, don’t expose your skin too much or wear sunblock. If you can, avoid being outside in the sun between 10am and 4pm.
Open multiple windows to allow for the air to move in and out. It’s often cooler outside than inside, and you want to refresh the entire house by forcing the cool air inside. If it gets very cool at night, keep the windows open and close them as the Sun goes up, thus trapping the cool air inside for a good part of the day.
If you got any more advice, feel free to post a comment.
Nice observation Anna!