Coping with the Heat

I’ve written several posts on fun activities in hot weather, including going on picnics and other activities.  But, given the persistent temperatures throughout the East Coast and Midwest of the United States, I’ve received a lot of emails from friends lamenting the lack of air conditioning as well as miserable kids and pets.  I thought that some coping ideas would be good:

–Take safety issues seriously — we sometimes forget that not everyone is as tolerant to heat. Pay specific attention to elderly people and the very young whose bodies don’t cool down as well.  Keep in mind that someone suffering from heat exhaustion may not be able to tell you that they feel bad.  Also, be mindful of pets in this weather, making sure they have adequate water and shade.

–Drink plenty of fluids — if you are very thirsty, you are not re-hydrating sufficiently.  Be sure to replace fluids when you exercise as well, and be mindful that if you sweat heavily you will lose electrolytes.  Although I generally eat a low-salt diet, I am more liberal with salt this time of year.  One option is to try a salty lemonade, fresh lemonade made with both salt and sugar.  Often served in tropical countries, this is one of my favorite summer treats.

--Protect your skin from sunburn — most people these days are vitamin D deficient, a product of wearing clothes and most likely working indoors.  However, it is still important to protect yourself from sunburn and excessive sun.

–Try some fun measures to cope with the heat — these include morning walks and picnics, popsicle making, and grilling.

–Plan lots of indoor activities — because some of these temperatures demand it.

How are you coping with the heat wave?

shared at Works for Me Wednesday and Frugal Friday