et Tips: How to put up with heat waves

CAIRO – 1 March 2018: Extreme heat can cause illness ranging from heat cramps to death as a result of heat stroke for some people. You have to keep your body temperature in the range of 35.5-37°C to protect your vital organs and allow your body to function normally.

Egypt Today presents a handy guide for staying cool in the hot weather.



1.Love your water!

Drink plenty of fluids; aim to drink a cup of water or your favorite juice every 30 minutes, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

To make your boring water taste like heaven, add a slice of lemon or cucumber and mint for a natural flavor.

Reduce your caffeine intake. Skip the next cup of coffee or tea and replace it with decaffeinated iced tea. Caffeine dehydrates your body faster.

2.Go for cooling food

Water is not your only option; drink natural juice and milk or eat fruits and vegetables rich in water.

Enjoy eating watermelon, oranges, grapefruit, leafy vegetables and zucchini.
Avoid using the oven and prepare some refreshing and cooling smoothies as meal replacements. Your smoothies can include coconuts, green apples, cucumber, celery and spinach.

Eat more spicy food; it will make you sweat and hence help your body cool off.

Avoid eating large, fried and oily meals.

3.Dress smart

Choose clothes made of breathable materials like cotton; avoid satin, silk or polyester.

Cover more skin and wear long-sleeved and looser clothes. It is also good to wear a straw hat.

Avoid dark colors like black, and stick to bright and lighter colors like white and creams to reflect the sun’s rays.

Wear open-toe or breathable shoes.

4.Get enough sleep

Follow the footsteps of the ancient Egyptians, who had adopted a very simple and efficient technique to fall asleep easily in hot weather; they soaked their blankets in cold water before going to bed. All you need to do is to soak a sheet or towel in water, then squeeze the water until it is damp but not dripping. Place a wet towel on top of you and sleep tight.

Dip your feet and wrists in cold water before going to sleep.

Place a bowl of ice in front of a blowing fan in your bedroom to make it cooler as the ice melts.

Give your bedding a light misting of water before going to sleep.