Heat Wave 2019: How To Cool Down

Photographed by Rockie Nolan.

It’s getting hot in here — it’s time to take off work and your clothes and your bed’s comforter. The weather this week is going to get very warm in the UK (a predicted 35°C - 37°C), according to the Met Office.

Overheating isn’t good for your health. "Even a small change in core temperature makes the body function less efficiently," Heather Rogers, MD, a dermatologist told Refinery29. When you get too warm, your body has to sweat to keep your core body temperature regulated. Not to scare you, but you can even die from heatstroke, which can damage your organs and brain. It’s unlikely for most people who have access to indoor areas, but it happens.

AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT

That’s why it’s important to take the proper precautions and stay as cool as possible. Not just for your personal comfort, but for your health.

View this post on Instagram

Hotter weather ? is on the way next week - across much of western Europe, including parts of the UK ?? . Higher humidities have already arrived in the UK - accompanied by heavy rain and thunderstorms in some places during Friday night and Saturday. . Sunnier ☀️ skies arrive during Sunday and Monday, with temperatures rising significantly during the start of next next week. . Inland Spain ?? could reach the low 40s Celsius, whilst parts of France ?? reach the high 30s Celsius. . Although we are unlikely to see temperatures that high in the UK, southern areas could still see highs approaching the mid-30s by midweek, with mid-20s in southern and eastern Scotland. . Not everywhere will be sunny, however. Western Scotland, North West England and Northern Ireland are likely to be cloudy, wet and windy at times - especially early next week. . . . #loveukweather #heatwave

A post shared by Weather from the Met Office (@metoffice) on Jul 19, 2019 at 8:15am PDT

Hydrate The Hell Out Of Yourself.

The more you sweat, the more dehydrated you get. That’s why the NWS says it’s important to drink buckets of water or sports drinks like Lucozade Sport. Jenny Beth Kroplin, RDN, LDN, and founder of Jenny Beth RD Nutritious Love, recommends trying to bring a 24- or 32-ounce water bottle with you wherever you go. See if you can drink two per day, even if you don't feel thirsty, she says. Try to avoid dehydrating drinks, such as alcohol.

Change Your Bedding.

Terry Cralle, RN, a clinical sleep educator, recommends buying a mattress topper to cool down the mattress. A topper and cotton sheets will make falling asleep easier when it’s too hot to perform even the most basic bodily function of getting some shuteye. You can also buy specific pillows that have heat technology, such as the Simba heat technology pillow.

Take A Cool Bath Or Shower.

This is another tip from the Met Office that will help regulate your body temperature.

Don’t Bask In The Sun.

Sunburn reduces your body's ability to dissipate heat. Limit your time outdoors, and don’t forget the SPF if you must go outdoors.

Enjoy Light Bites.

When the heat is getting you down, it’s best to eat easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads. Meats and dairy can spoil more easily this time of year, so don’t forget to use an ice pack if you bring your lunch to work, or you’re planning a picnic.