For those that don’t have the luxury of swimming pools and aircons, South African summers with frequent waves of heat and humidity can be unbearable. Extreme heat not only brings about discomforts like heat rash and more serious issues like heat stroke, but it also has been associated with an increase in violence! Fortunately, there are ways to keep your cool and beat the heat without breaking the bank. We’ve listed some of these below.
1. Understand How Hydration Helps
Image featuring the Bennett Read On-the-Go Blender Bottle
Keeping hydrated should be your number one focus for a cool summer. Avoid dehydration at all costs, since this increases body heat! When you sweat, your body loses water and electrolytes, which need to be replaced. 2 litres of water a day is what your body needs to perform at its best and regulate its temperature better. Lost electrolytes can be replaced through foods like milk, yoghurt, peanut butter, bananas, and citrus fruits. Another important point to note is that diuretics like coffee and energy drinks can harm your hydration efforts, making you increase your bathroom breaks and quickly lose fluids. Ways to make it easier to up your H2O intake include using a water filtration system to make your home tap water taste better and making your own citrus smoothies packed with electrolytes (see the Bennett Read On-the-Go Smoothie Maker) to replenish your body.
See more kitchen appliances to help you hydrate.
2. Choose Rechargeable Fans That You Can Take Wherever You Go
At the top of your list of how to survive a South African summer should be getting a rechargeable fan. When power outages hit and you can’t plug in your much needed electric-powered fans, one of the best ways to cool down a room is with a rechargeable fan. No messy cables or grid power needed!
Take a look at the NEW Bennett Read 30cm rechargeable fan and the 45cm rechargeable fan with lithium-ion batteries (that can last you up to 24 hours).
3. Take a Warm Shower
Want to know how to cool down your body temperature quickly? A cold shower seems like an obvious way to cool down, but you may be surprised to learn that warm and even hot showers work better. This is because your body’s self-cooling system is triggered by the hot water, and it works towards a balanced core temperature. Another reason to take a warm-to-hot shower is to wash off the layer of dirt and bacteria that keeps you feeling hot and sweaty. Hot water is more effective than cold water at tackling bacteria!
4. Eat Light Meals
The type of foods you eat and the quantity of it makes a difference to your body temperature. Frozen-yoghurt lollipops, and fruit like watermelons, strawberries, or oranges will do the trick - and salads are highly recommended. Avoid carb-heavy meals that will divert your body’s resources from cooling to digesting.
5. Choose Your Clothing Wisely
If you’re out in the sun, light colours that reflect heat are a must. And when it comes to clothing materials, choose lightweight, breathable fabric like cotton or bamboo. Avoid silk or nylon clothes that trap in your body heat.
6. Close Blinds and Curtains
The quickest way to heat up your house is to leave your blinds or curtains open. If you know it’s going to be a hot day, the first thing you should do in the morning is close them and leave them closed throughout the day. If you find yourself closing your curtains but still getting too hot, you may need look at getting thicker curtains that block out more light.
7. Apply Cold Gel to Your Upper Body
There are plenty of cooling gels that athletes use to cool their muscles down, and you can buy these at your local pharmacy. Simply apply the gel to your arms, chest and back to feel a tingling chill that will make you feel as cool as an artic fish. For best results, apply the gel and stand in front of a misting fan for an extra chill!
Knowing how to lower body temperature naturally can go a long way to helping you survive a South African summer. From the basics like staying hydrated, using rechargeable fans, and wearing breathable clothing, to some less common tricks like taking warm showers and using cooling gels, we hope we’ve shared enough tips to help you feel as cool and breezy as our Bennett Read fans.
