If you’ve set foot outisde today you may already be well aware that the UK is in the midst of a mini-heatwave, with
The Met Office says the weather will become ‘hot for many’ over the week, meanwhile, Dr Michaela Hegglin, associate professor in atmospheric chemistry at the University of Reading’s Department of Meteorology, said that Thursday could being with it some of the ‘highest UV levels ever recorded’ in Britain.
If you’re suffering rather than basking in this summer sunshine then have no fear, because we have a whole bunch of tips and tricks for keeping cool.
Drink plenty of water
Keeping hydrated is the most obvious and easiest thing to do.
It’s tempting to get the Pimms out, of course, but alcohol is dehydrating – so stick to water.
Think about it
Think of the coldest place you can (the freezer, the North Pole… you get the gist).
Simply day-dreaming about things like snow can help lower your overall body temperature because your body will react to the thoughts about cooler temperatures.
Get down low
No, not in a dance – but do go all the way to the floor if you can.
Hot air rises, so the best place to go for a quick cool down and momentary rest from the stuffiness is the lowest possible level.
Don’t cook
Try to refrain from using your oven or stove and eat room temperature dishes like salads to avoid generating another source of heat.
If you are in need of hot food then try to use the grill instead.
Run your wrists under a cold tap
Surprisingly refreshing – the science behind it is that one of your main veins passes through your wrists so it helps to cool your blood down quickly.
Clever.
To the aisles
If you’re out and about, you can go to the freezer section of the supermarket if you get seriously desperate.
Hang them out to dry
Hang a wet sheet in front of an open window, and the breeze blowing in through the wet sheet and will quickly cool down and entire room.
Stay out of the sun
Don’t go out there between 11am and 3pm for too long – The UV rays will be strong and you will burn quickly, ergo, you won’t be cool.
Eat spicy food
If you do end up cooking, why not try something spicy?
The logic behind this one is that the spicy foods will help you sweat, which will, in turn, help cool you down.
Get your flowy cotton clothes out
Heat is trapped by synthetic fibres but cotton absorbs perspiration and the evaporation causes you to feel cooler
Also light-coloured clothes reflect the sun’s radiation.
Don’t use your hand as a fan
Avoid waving your hand as a fan to cool you down, although the bursts of air flow will cool you down momentarily the rapid movement from your hand will raise your temperature overall.
If you don’t have an electric one to hand (ba dum tch) try using a hand-held fan, or use a piece of paper or a flexible object with a large surface area as a fan to cool you down instead.
MORE: Practical and cheap ways to keep your home cool during a heatwave
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