It’s true that the west is much cooler and wetter than the rest of the world. However, that scenario has changed over the past few years. Now, the US and Europe are also heating up more compared to what they used to be, resulting in an increasing number of heat illnesses and sunstroke. According to doctors, it’s better to take action to beat the heat and cool yourself down rather than wait the heat out. Let’s find out what science says about staying cool in high temperatures.
Hydrating
We lose water and minerals from our bodies while we sweat, and we can sweat up to 10 liters a day in very hot conditions. So, it’s highly important to replenish the liquid in the body by drinking lots of fluid. Studies show that hot drinks can be, surprisingly, slightly more effective in this case than cold ones. Hot drinks raise the core temperature of the body for a short duration but also induce sweating and gradually lowers body temperature.
Air Fan
An air fan delivers a refreshing breeze against your skin, but in reality, it doesn’t always help in cooling down. According to research, fans can make you feel worse, especially in conditions of dry heat. As per the WHO guidance, using an air fan above 35oC temperature isn’t helpful in reducing the chance of getting heatstroke and heat exhaustion, which can be fatal in extreme cases.
Soaking
According to research, putting your feet in cold water works wonders in keeping your organs properly working and reducing the core body temperature. But what most of us don’t know is that having a lukewarm bath or shower is even better! A soak in cold water is surely tempting, but cold shock can be highly dangerous under heat. In extreme conditions like drought, conserve water and focus on cooling small parts of your body like hands and feet, or face and neck with just enough water.
Urban Design
Sleepless nights in a heat wave may tempt you to install air-conditioning in your home. However, there’s a great solution for it that’s gentler on your power bill. In metropolitan areas, green walls and roofs can be highly helpful for cooling down the heated structure. Green roofs can reduce heat by 12oC and green walls can be cooler than conventional walls up to 32oC, saving up to 59% energy costs and providing natural sound insulation. On top of everything, they look really pretty!