The mercury has been topping out at around 100 degrees over much of the continent this summer! Parts of the northern United States and Canada have experienced temperature conditions common only in the southernmost states, and with a lack of widespread central air conditioning, residents have really been suffering. Many of us choose to vacation in areas known to be fairly comfortable, weather-wise, at various times of the year. If you have a vacation coming up and it turns out that your destination will be much warmer than anticipated, there are some things that you can do to stay safe, cool and comfortable in the warm weather:
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Stay hydrated. This is the number one way to keep yourself safe in the summer. When you’re on vacation, it’s likely that you’re spending time out and about, so be sure to carry a water bottle with you wherever you go and to drink from it frequently. While champagne breakfasts, afternoon cocktails and after-dinner drinks might add some festivity to your holiday, keep in mind that alcohol is drying. If it’s very hot out and you’re losing a lot of fluids through perspiration, limit your alcohol consumption and up your intake of water and non-caffeinated beverages.
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Dress for the weather. Take a hint from those who live in tropical areas, and dress as lightly as possible. Seersucker, madras and other cotton clothing, worn loose-fitting and untucked, will help keep you cool. Women may prefer to wear light sundresses instead of separate tops and bottoms. Don’t forget your flip-flops!
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Protect yourself from the sun. While you probably already know this and had planned on it, it should be mentioned that sunscreen is a must even on cloudy days. The strong rays of the summer sun can penetrate cloud cover and burn you. A wide-brimmed hat will protect your face, and sunglasses will protect the sensitive skin around your eyes. Don’t plan on spending hours upon hours on the beach uncovered; bring along a tent or umbrella, and cover up with a long-sleeved shirt and sarong when you’re not tanning or swimming.
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Eat lightly. When on vacation, many of us throw caution to the wind and eat whatever our hearts desire. The good thing is that during the hottest weather, we often crave cold, light foods such as salads, sandwiches, fresh fruit and ice pops. Avoid anything heavy or hot that will make you feel sick in the hot weather. If you want to indulge on decadent desserts or heavy meat-and-potatoes meals, do so under air conditioning or at night, when the temperatures drop.
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Stay cool at night. Many people find it very uncomfortable to sleep during hot weather. If you are staying in a hotel, then you will have the option of simply turning down the air conditioning. If you are camping or staying with relatives who don’t have central air conditioning, however, staying cool could be a challenge. Do the opposite of what your mother suggested and go to bed with your hair wet; since you lose a lot of heat through your head, this can cool you off long enough to help you fall asleep. You could also run cold water over your wrists and inner elbows to help cool you off before bed, or even fill a hot water bottle with ice water and tuck it under the covers with you. Use only a light sheet to cover up with, and run a fan if you have electricity.
Staying cool while on vacation can be a challenge if the temperatures are sky-high. Moderate your activities in order to conserve energy and try to stay indoors and under air during the hottest parts of the day. With any luck, the heat wave will break before it’s time to head home.
Do you have any great tips on staying cool while on vacation?
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