Overheating at any time can be a problem. Not only is it uncomfortable for the person involved, it can also lead to health problems and heat stroke, something that’s particularly dangerous for the elderly.
As we get older, we become less able to control their body’s temperature. This is because we tend to sweat less, meaning our bodies find it difficult to stay cool. While this might not be an issue normally, during the summer months it can become a real problem.
Here at Helping Hands, we’ve created our top tips to help make sure you and your loved ones stay safe in the summer heat. Ranging from diet tips to ideas for creating a cool routine, you’ll find a broad variety of ideas to try out as the temperature rises.
Keeping cool in hot weather
Keeping cool is not just about the clothes you or your loved ones wear, although choosing your wardrobe wisely will help! Take a look at our top tips to maintain a cooler body temperature below:
Take a rest
While it’s a good idea to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle, try to keep strenuous physical activity to a minimum when it’s warm. Doing too much in the heat can lead to dehydration, which can dramatically hinder the body’s ability to stay cool.
Cooling down
During warmer weather, having cooler showers, baths, or washes can be really refreshing, and can even lower body temperature too. This, coupled with light, loose clothing made from cotton can also help to maintain a safe temperature. Taking on plenty of water or juice throughout the day can help too.
Eat cool foods
Another great way to stay hydrated is to eat foods with a high water content. This includes salad foods such as cucumber, iceberg lettuce and celery, vegetables such as cauliflower and peppers, and fruits like strawberries, grapefruit and melon.
How to keep your home cool
Making sure the home is as cool as possible can really help in avoiding overheating.
Keep the heat out
When it’s a hot day outside, take steps to make sure the heat stays away. To do this, keep curtains closed so the sun doesn’t shine into the home. This’ll help to maintain a cooler temperature inside.
Let the air flow through
Once the temperature outside has cooled to less than that indoors, open any windows to allow a breeze to flow through the home.
Keep the air cool
To help cool the air in and around the home, be sure to keep both house plants and outdoor plants nicely watered. As well as this, try spraying water on the ground outside to help cool the air, without causing a slip hazard.
Cover up
If you or your loved ones need to go outside during the warm weather, try sticking to the coolest time of the day – before 11 am and after 3 pm. Upon venturing out, wear sun cream, and keep out of the sun as much as possible. Wearing light hats and scarves are great ways to do this, when staying in the shade isn’t possible.
Signs of overheating
When it’s particularly warm outside, it’s important to know the signs that your efforts to keep cool aren’t working, so stay savvy and spot the signs quickly. Overheating may be shown in the following:
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Confusion and other behavioural changes
- Feeling sick
- Feeling dizzy, weak or faint (and even fainting)
- Muscle spasms or cramps
- Swollen ankles
- Thirstiness
If you think you or someone you know is experiencing the symptoms of heat stroke, it’s important to get help immediately, particularly if the person is elderly – heat stroke can be very serious.
If you need any further advice on keeping yourself or others cool during the warm weather, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
For more handy insights into the work we do here at Helping Hands, take a look at our blog.
