Everyone adores summer, from breakfast on the patio to evening strolls during hot summer nights. Some summer days are warm and pleasant if you're a pro at beating the heat. Summer might also bring scorching sun with suffocating heat, which can be a silent killer.
Heat-related fatalities occur frequently in the United States, particularly among the elderly and people with underlying health conditions. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke are some of the most common heat-related illnesses.
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Painful muscle cramps that develop as a result of prolonged heat exposure are known as heat cramps.
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Excessive sweating, a rise in body temperature, and lack of water cause heat exhaustion.
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Heat stroke happens when heat exhaustion gets out of control, and your core temperature rises excessively. Your body cannot function in such a hot and humid environment. If not treated immediately with medical care, this condition might become deadly.
The reason for these illnesses is heat exposure. Your temperature rises as your body is unable to cool itself down. Heat-related illnesses can affect you for a variety of reasons. Here are some common risk factors:
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Age (Extreme heat can be particularly harmful to older people)
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Dehydration
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Medical conditions, such as heart, respiratory, or circulation issues
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Certain medications
Dehydration is more likely in a dry environment like Arizona, since you will be less likely to realize you are dehydrated. Sweating is one of the most visible indicators of heat but quickly dissipates in an arid environment to cool you down, so you won't notice how hot you are until it's too late.
In arid regions, the days are usually scorching and bright. As a result, your risk of sunburn increases. Sunblock is required. If you're more prone to burns, consider wearing thin and light-colored clothing to protect yourself from the sun. The more skin it covers, the better.
Summer Heat: 9 Tips for Staying Cool
Keeping cool in the summer is crucial to staying safe. Here are some strategies for dealing with the summer heat.
1. Stay Hydrated
Water is essential for maintaining a constant internal body temperature. Men should consume 125 ounces (3.7 liters) of water daily, whereas women should consume 91 ounces (2.7 liters), according to the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine.
You can become dehydrated very quickly if you don't consume enough water. Matters might soon get serious when you add in a little heat. Furthermore, when you overheat, your body sweats — its natural method of cooling off. This sweating also increases the rate at which you lose liquids.
If you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated, according to research. So on those scorching sunny days, make sure you drink plenty of water so you don't suffer from heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
2. Try to Avoid Caffeine
Yes, this is difficult. But coffee actually dehydrates you. Why? Because caffeine is a diuretic, it causes you to lose water from your body.
Do you need your morning coffee to start the day? Probably. However, try to restrict your caffeine intake throughout the rest of the day. You will not overdrink as a result. If you must have a cup of coffee, make sure you drink lots of water to compensate for the water you'll lose.
3. Dress for the Weather
Avoid over-heating yourself by wearing loose, light attire instead of tight, heavy clothing. Wearing thinner clothes allows you to breathe more freely.
Also, swap your dark-colored apparel for lighter garments. Wearing dark clothing outside can make you hotter since it absorbs more UV radiation.
4. Stay Out of the Sun
Avoiding the sun in the summer months might seem counterintuitive. However, if you want to stay cool and avoid the heat, you should avoid spending too much time outside beginning around noon to mid-afternoon. When the sun is at its most powerful and hottest.
5. Use Water and Shade to Your Advantage
When the heat becomes too overpowering, there are a few simple ideas to cool down. Taking a cool or cold shower is one option. Another alternative is to apply an ice pack on pressure points like your neck, wrists, or ankles. The ice-cold compress can quickly chill sensitive regions.
Jumping into a pool or running through a sprinkler is another fun way to stay cool in the heat. You may also hide under a tree or an umbrella to avoid direct sunlight. A personal mister or a large-area mister can also be used to cool off.
You can cool off in our community pool, take advantage of our water activities, or just unwind in our cabanas and outdoor sitting areas at Liv Multifamily.
6. Avoid Cooking Indoors When You Can
On a hot day, avoiding cooking a delectable dinner over the stove or in the oven is recommended. These pieces of equipment will generate heat in your home, making it hotter and more unpleasant. Instead, consider grilling burgers outside!
Cold foods, such as fruits, vegetables, cold meats, and sandwiches, are also acceptable. Watermelon, cucumbers, and strawberries with a high water content are excellent sources of hydration!
7. The AC is Your Best Friend
Air conditioners are another option for keeping cool. Turning on your air conditioner is one of the most effective methods to chill down. A humidifier will make your air conditioning work more effectively since air conditioners function best when the air isn't too dry.
When the summer heat arrives, double-check that everything is in working order so you can enjoy the cool air. If you don't have access to air conditioning, a ceiling fan or battery-operated hand-held fans might also help keep you cool. Another option is to spend the day at a shopping mall, cinema, or library so that you can take advantage of their air conditioning and stay cool.
At Liv Multifamily Communities, we provide air-conditioned apartments with ceiling fans for you to stay cool. We also have a variety of community amenities, including air-conditioned common indoor areas where you can spend your summer days socializing with your neighbors. And don't forget about all of our communities' nearby activities, where you may go at your leisure.
8. There is More to Frozen Goodness than Ice cream
Ice cream and the heat of summer are like peanut butter and jelly. However, there are other options for staying cool. Ice cream is high in fat and difficult to digest, so your body will have to spend more energy digesting it. You will naturally become hotter from eating ice cream because it requires a lot of effort to process.
Instead of ice cream, have frozen yogurt or Italian ice. These cold desserts are easier to digest, so you won't overheat.
9. Stay Cool With Smaller Meals
Consider last year's Thanksgiving. Though you were completely content, you were probably also full and uncomfortably warm. It takes more effort for your body to break down a big meal than a little one. As a result, your body temperature rises as it digests the food.
If you can, avoid having your body heat up while digesting by eating smaller meals more frequently.
Stay Cool at Liv Multifamily Communities
Escape the heat and still enjoy all of summer's fun at Liv Multifamily Communities! Don’t let summer's high temperatures bother you. At Liv Multifamily, you may have the best of both worlds - summer months and security during the hot weather. Visit one of our six communities right now!
