by Judy Zabriskie

Created on: July 07, 2011   Last Updated: August 15, 2011

Aside from the obvious (staying within the confines of an air conditioned area or in front of a circulating fan) one must be   prudent in their clothing choices during these hot summer months.  It is best to stay with light colored, light fabric (cotton or linen) choices as well as keeping the clothing loosely fitting so that air can be allowed to circulate reducing sweating and keeping the person well ventilated.  Hats are also an important part of being out in the heat, especially the sun. They tend to keep the heat off of the head area but make sure the hat is made of a breathable fabric as we all know that the head is the part of the body which loses the greatest amount of heat and one would not want to have the body release heat only to be trapped within the confines of the hat you are using to dissipate this heat.  Great hat fabrics are straw, 100% cotton and linen.  Try to stay away from polyester blends as they are truly not breathable and will trap the heat and sweat in rather than letting the heat out, so to speak.  Shoes are also a concern during the hot weather.  Of course, if surfaces will allow bare feet are optimal but if not, again open sandals to allow the feet to breath and if tennis shoes are a must or work boots, 100% cotton socks are a must. 

Cooling off in a cool water (not cold, but preferably tepid) is best during the dog days of summer.  If one is fortunate enough to have access to a pool that is terrific, but making sure you are slathered in sunscreen (preventing burning rays from heating you up any further) and that the pool is managed properly (clean and well chemicaled).  There are always ponds, rivers and (of course) the ocean but here one must be diligent about water safety making sure in rivers that the current is not too fierce and in the ocean that there is no undertow.  Ponds have to be free of algae and microbes. That being said if water samples are taken periodically and monitored and the water sources deemed acceptable these areas are a great source of summer cooling.

For those not fortunate enough to be near a water source there is always a cool (not cold) shower or bath, running through the sprinkler at home or just misting with a bottle sprayer filled with tepid water periodically keeping your core temperature down.

Finally, hydration – it is most important that one stay hydrated during these hot summer months.  Hydration with water or water based liquids is best. Alcohol and caffeine dehydrate the body so use these sparingly, again using water and water based liquids as a preference.  Sports drinks claim to rehydrate and replace electrolytes when in essence what they do is add high sugar content to the body. It is better to eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water or water based fluids than to consume an inordinate amount of sports drinks for rehydration.  Also, when eating, be sure to eat lightly and often, replenishing your body with solid nutrients throughout the day rather than a few heavy meals, light meals spaced every 3 to 4 hours is key to good nutrition during the summer months. Again, avoiding so called energy bars and snacks and replacing them with fruit, vegetables or perhaps a yogurt based drink or custard.

The summer is a time for fun and frolic but beware of the heat index and dress, eat and shelter accordingly.  This goes for humans and animals as well. Don’t forget our furry friends as they need quality summer care too.

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