If the long-term weather forecast is right, and I like to be an optimist and believe it is, this hot weather will be with us for awhile yet. Here are some ideas on how to beat the heat and enjoy your summer to its fullest:
* First of all: wear sunscreen when you’re outside. I can’t stress this enough. And for the times you don’t use it, Solarcaine with Lidocain takes the pain out of sunburn. But avoid discovering this for yourself: use sunscreen. Reapply often and liberally.
* Watch your alcohol intake (and I don’t mean stand in front of a mirror with your wine glass). There are few things as refreshing as an ice-cold adult beverage on a sultry day, however, alcohol dehydrates you and can make you more thirsty.
* Whenever possible, schedule your errands for first thing in the morning, before the heat begins to build, or late in the afternoon, when it’s starting to cool off. Lots of stores are open after 6pm. You’ll benefit from fewer shoppers too.
* Drink lots and lots of water, especially after being outside. Keep a juice jug full in the fridge and you’ll always come home to a cold drink. Except when you forget to fill it, of course, which leads me to my next suggestion.
* Make sure you always have plenty of ice cubes on hand. They’ll cool down anything quickly, including the back of your neck.
* Wear light-colored clothing as much as possible. It will reflect the heat, not absorb it.
* Close curtains in rooms facing south during the day, especially your bedroom, to make sleeping more comfortable.
* Make shade your friend. My favorite hangouts include Centennial Park and Robert V. Ostler Park (aka the Foreshore).
* As much as possible, use your microwave instead of your regular oven. Your kitchen will stay much cooler.
* Speaking of food, pay particular attention to food safety. It’s never a good idea to thaw food on the counter but in this heat, it’s simply dumb. Food will take longer to thaw in the fridge but at least you’re decreasing your chances of food borne illness. Take it from me: food poisoning is not an enjoyable way to spend any part of your summer (or any time of year, for that matter).
* If you’re transporting potato salad, pasta salad, chicken, hamburger patties, or in fact anything that came from your fridge or freezer, put the bowl into a cooler with ice to get it where you’re going. Freezer packs are useful too. Eat it as soon as possible. If you need assistance hoovering anything vaguely picnic-related, please let me know.
* A tepid bath midday is a Gina Favorite Way to Beat the Heat.
* If you’re anything like me, heat makes you sleepy, but resist the urge to nap during the day. I know it’s tempting but if you do, come your regular bed time, you won’t be tired and that combined with the heat, can lead to a restless night.
* Invite yourself over to your friend’s house if they have a pool. Offer to bring ice cream in exchange for the use of their pool.
* Keep as many lights as possible turned off.
* Invest in a fan. Even a small one makes a huge difference.
* Go to the library. Not only do you benefit from the coolness, but you can stock up on books at the same time.
* Spend an extra few minutes in the frozen food section of your favorite grocery store. But don’t loiter, lest someone think you’re getting ready to five finger discount the tv dinners.
* Always ensure your pets have fresh water available. Fido and Fluffy get dehydrated too.
* Wearing a short nightie instead of shorts and a t-shirt is cooler. Needless to say, this only applies when you’re at home. I’ll leave it up to you to decide if it also only applies to the females in your family.
* And, finally, when the heat feels particularly oppressive, I remember how cold I was last winter, and I realize summer won’t last forever. That’s when I appreciate the sun and heat anew.
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