Summer is an enjoyable season. Visions of exotic beaches, sparkling blue waters, delightful water sports, and the feeling of sand beneath your feet can really make you look forward to it every year. However, amidst all these paradisiacal descriptions, there’s one thing that makes summer somehow undesirable — the heat.
To beat the heat and stay comfortable, people turn to vary methods — from setting fans on full blast to indulging in yummy cold treats. But, besides comfort, there are more reasons that make maintaining a cool temperature in the hot summer months highly indispensable.
Below, we’ll provide several reasons to stay cool in the summer, as well as basic tips on how to do so:
Heat can lead to health issues
Lindsay Carlton of Fox News has interviewed Dr. Manny Alvarez, a specialist in internal medicine, to discuss three health problems associated with heat. Exposure to extremely high temperatures may lead to conditions like heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and heat hives. The body is armed with an immune system that triggers multiple responses when faced with major changes such as shifts in temperature. Thus, in an attempt to cool the body, symptoms like sweating, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, and dizziness are experienced.
Heat lowers the productivity level
Bustle explains that according to studies, employees spend significantly more time and produce more work in the office on days that are rainy than on days that are warm and sunny. When you start feeling lazy and sluggish during the summer months, blame it on the heat.
Furthermore, Dr. Nancy Molitor of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine reports that when the weather becomes warmer, it’s quite normal for people to feel less productive. Thus, if you have a long to-do list and aim to start a comprehensive routine in the summer, here’s a warning — it’s going to be a lot harder.
Heat affects the quality of your sleep
When the night approaches, your body’s temperature drops naturally to send signals to your system that it must slow down and prepare for rest. However, when your room is too hot, this vital signal can be blocked, consequently causing you to have trouble falling asleep.
Accordingly, keeping your bedroom at cool temperature can stimulate melatonin production, the hormone responsible for encouraging sleep. According to scientists, the increase in sunlight during summer can also cause a disruption in your body’s production of melatonin. This will not just affect your sleep, but also potentially lead to decreased cognitive function, weight gain, and mood swings.
Moreover, according to SleepAdvisor.org, melatonin is believed by medical experts to have anti-aging and cancer-fighting properties. Knowing this, you wouldn’t want to compromise your melatonin levels, would you?
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to combat and prevent all the negative effects that heat brings. Here are several tips on how to stay cool in the summer.
- Wear light clothing made from breathable fabrics. It’s also best to stay away from dark colors and opt for cooler shades.
- Indulge in healthy homemade treats like banana ice cream, fruit juice popsicles, and sugar-free milkshakes. It’s also good to increase your water intake.
- Make sure that your air conditioning and ventilation systems are clean and well-functioning. For your convenience, hire a professional that provides residential air conditioning services such as installation and routine maintenance.
- Take cold showers regularly. You can also enjoy swimming or other water sports as long as you wear waterproof sunscreen to protect your skin from damaging UV rays.
- Slather on some moisturising lotion to prevent drying and flaking.
Summer is fun, but it can also be annoying. Therefore, to keep cool as a cucumber, you must exert considerable effort and maintain a cool temperature in your home.