A-Z Dictionary on how to stay cool this summer?

A life without love is like a year without summer. Summer is such a pleasant experience. Summer is always fun and enjoyable only when you stay cool. Heat can be a killer if you do not play it cool. Enjoy this summer by staying cool with the help of this Summertime A-Z dictionary.

Wear cotton. The cotton material allows the air to flow through. More importantly, wear clothing that is loose fitting and lightly colored. Try to avoid jeans. Dark colored clothes absorb the heat. So, it is best to wear white clothes or those in light shades, as they reflect the light and heat. Try wearing shoes that allow your feet to breathe and that don't trap sweat and heat. Dress less, whenever possible, you will feel cool.

Go for frequent showers. Bathing in cool water is one best way to stay cool in summer. After you come from outside you can try spraying cold water on your face using a spray bottle. It gives you a refreshing feel. Put your feet in a bucket full of cold water to keep you cool and give you a rejuvenated feel.

In the summer season it is important to minimize the use of coffee and tea, as they stimulate the nervous system. Caffeine can also be dehydrating, which is not healthy when the weather hot and humid. Replace your coffee or tea with a cup of green tea, which improves in digestion and metabolism.

The phrase “as cool as cucumber” suggests that cucumber has a role in keeping you cool. Keep cool by slicing a cucumber and putting a piece right in the middle of your forehead. It works best when the cucumber is from the refrigerator and is sliced thin. It works right away to cool you down.

The food habits are to be changed in summer and it is good to take the water based food items.

Alter eating habits. Large meals on sizzling summer often lead to feelings of discomfort. But this doesn´t mean people should avoid eating as the summer temperatures rise up. Instead of three meals per day, eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. Eat light meals every three to four hours, and avoid foods that are heavy and lead to feelings of lethargy. Try eating lot of spicy foods. Spicy foods make you sweat without actually raising body temperature. Look for foods high in fiber. This will help you in getting rid of the unwanted toxins staying in your body which are responsible for your sluggish nature.

If you are one among the category who has the habit of doing exercise after your work hours, then it is time to change your timings. In summer, exercise early in the morning. Summer’s dog days often make people feel tired by the end of the workday. So workouts after work becomes less effective. When working out in the morning, the temperatures are lower and the body is better rested and ready to make the most of a workout. In addition, many people who work out in the mornings before work find their energy levels are higher throughout the day.

Fruits play a vital role in keeping you cool during summer. You can also see the seasonal fruits with a cheaper price tag during the season. Some of the fruits which keep you cool are watermelon, berries, peaches, tomato, mango and cucumber. A cold slice of watermelon on a hot summer day – wow! You have to eat it to enjoy the experience. Mangoes are available all year round, but the best time to eat mangoes is in the summer. Berries in the summer are light, refreshing and low in sugar.

Remember to wear your goggles or sunglasses whichever way you call it. Goggles helps in keeping your eyes away from the hot sun. It protects your eyes and also keeps it cool.

Wear hats or caps in the hot sun. There are different kinds of hats available in the market and hats have nowadays become a fashion. Wear hats according to your dress, that will make you look fashionable and also helps you in keeping your head cool. Add hats in your summer shopping list if you don’t have one. Cover your head with a loose-fitting hat, preferably made of mesh or some other breathable material because you lose a major portion of body heat through your head.

Ice cream

Summer without ice cream! – No way!! Ice cream is delicious all through the year, but in summer it tastes even sweeter. It so happens that some skip their meals to eat ice cream in summer. Too much of ice cream during summer is also not good. So have a control on your ice cream intake.

Juices

Drink fresh fruit juices to beat the heat in summer. Some juices like watermelon juice, cucumber juice are best. Drink at least one of these juices several times a day and note your tremendous increase in heat tolerance. Too much of fruit juices will increase sugar content. So have a watch.

The first thing the kids remember about summer is the holidays that they are going to enjoy and the first thing the parents remember about summer is their kids’ summer camp. Try sending your kids to summer camp with all the necessary cooling factors. This way the kids also stay cool and you also stay cool for sometime till they return from the camp. Let the kids enjoy a cool summer camp.

Store sunscreen lotions or cosmetic toners in the refrigerator. It is necessary to use lotion and moisturizers to keep your skin fresh and appealing during summer. Some branded lotions does give a real cooling effect. Peppermint lotion or peppermint spray will give a good cooling effect. Next time when you go to the store make sure that you have picked up your favorite sunscreen lotion. Sunscreen will decrease your skin and body temperatures, so you'll stay cooler.

Mint

Mint and peppermint have a natural property that helps to keep your body cool. This is the reason you feel cool when you put a piece of mint in your mouth. Mints are the natural herbs to reduce your body temperature and a great way to relax.

Become Nightingale in summer

In summer’s hot days, try to be like the bird, Nightingale. Move your favorite work, if possible, at the nighttime, when it is cool. For some, it is very difficult to get sleep during hot summer. Stay cool and so do not drink caffeine products after late afternoon, as it will disturb your sleep. Keep your windows open in the night. It will allow fresh cool air inside the room and also will allow the songs of nightingale to enter into your ears which will soothe your mind.

Some oils also provide some cooling effect to our body. Try using peppermint and lavender oil this summer. Drop of these oils can be put on the back of neck to give a cooling effect. These oils when diffused in the car gives a pleasant aroma and will help ease the stress of driving on a hot summer day. Not all oils can be used for internal consumption or directly on the skin. So, make sure to read the labels.

Feeling very hot and bored in your apartment? Just open the door and dive into the pool in your building. If you spend few hours in water that will keep you cool and will also make you feel rejuvenated. If you don’t have a pool in your complex, then rush to a recreation center which has a pool and become a member. Pool keeps you cool.

Use different bedding during summer. Most of them use a down feather for winter and cotton one for summer. The down feather is too warm for summer. Use a lightweight quilt for summer. Straw and bamboo do not retain the body heat and hence will keep you cool. So try sleeping in a straw or bamboo mat. If you have tile or concrete flooring in your room, you can lie on it to keep your body cool.

Relax and watch the roses

In the summer evening, relax yourself and take a walk and watch the roses that blossom during this season. The smiling roses and sunflowers will give you a relaxing feel and will be a cooling treat for your eyes and mind.

Sunstroke

Hot summer causes dangerous problem like sunstroke. Infants, old aged people and sick people are more susceptible to sunstroke. Avoid direct sunlight during the peak hours when the sun is hot. We should try to keep our head and skin from harmful UV rays. Use different cooling techniques o prevent yourself from sunburn and sunstroke.

Tanning

Skin getting tanned is one great problem during summer. Exposure to direct sunlight is rich in vitamin source D, but too much exposure to sunlight will lead to skin tanning. So, take only sufficient sunbath if you are deficient in vitamin D. Apply sunscreen lotion throughout your body to avoid tanning.

Carry umbrella if you are going by walk. Umbrellas will help you stay cool from the hot burning sun. Gone are the days when the umbrella used to come only in black color. Nowadays umbrellas come in different fashion and colors. They have also become a fashion statement in summer. So, add a pretty umbrella on your shopping list this season.

Summer without a vacation, can you imagine that? Plan a vacation in summer to such a place, which will make you, feel pleasant. Opt for some hill stations, beach resorts or places, which have, water games. Wherever you go make sure that you pack all the essential items according to the climate of the place. If you have kids, then spend hours in packing your luggage with most care. Make sure you have got everything ready for your kid. Most important item in your luggage should be your camera. Click cool pictures in the vacation and they are great memories for your summer. Great pictures of a summer vacation will always keep you cool!!

Drink plenty of water to stay cool in summer. This will keep the body hydrated and make you sweat more. Sweating is a natural way for keeping the body cool. Even when you do not feel thirsty, try taking plenty of water in regular breaks. You will improve your body’s cooling mechanism by keeping your water storage high.

Xpert advice

Listen to the Xpert advice during all seasons and especially during summer. Your grandmother, a really experienced person in life can give you loads of advice on how to stay cool in summer. Listen to that and try to implement most of it, you will surely stay cool.

Yogurt

Yogurt is a good diet during summer. Try to add yogurt to your diet during summer in whichever way possible. Lassi is one good form of yogurt, which helps you to stay cool. If you don’t like lassi , the other best option would be butter milk.

Ziploc your unwanted activities in hot sun

If the heat is intolerable stay indoor and Ziploc all the activities in hot sun, if possible. Stay cool at home during the hottest time of the day. Go out in the sun only if necessary.

It is just not enough if you keep your body alone cool in the summer. You have to keep your house also cool. Some tips to keep your house cool:

• Use blinds and curtains during hottest time of the day. Use white blinds to reflect heat
• Keep your air-conditioner in good condition.
• Try hanging wet clothes in the hot rooms. When hung near the fan will give a cooling effect.
• Use ceiling fans.
• If you have a basement floor, try spending most of your time there.
• Keep windows open in the night when the temperature is low.
• Plant more trees near the house.

Once you have taken steps to keep your house and body cool, its time now to make your mind stay cool. Have a cool mind and cool attitude, you will feel everything around you to be cool. Be cool always!Enjoy your summer!

"Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it."