As the extreme heat begins to set in the Central Valley, keeping cool isn't just about comfort. Record high heat can lead to heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Make sure you're following these 5 tips to keep yourself safe and cool this summer.
1. Drink More Water - Staying hydrated is the number one key to cooling your body down. It's recommended to drink at least half a gallon of water daily.
2. Avoid Alcoholic and Caffeinated Beverages - These types of drinks deplete your body of water, try and avoid them as much as possible.
3. Wear Proper Clothing - Cotton clothing will keep you cooler than most other materials. When outside in the direct heat, wear a hat that covers your face and neck.
4. Take Your Socks Off! - Your feet have a large impact on the temperature of your body. According to Otago University professor, Jim Cotter, "We can massively change the temperature of our feet to allow our body temperature to be controlled very accurately." So keep your socks off whenever possible!
5. Eat Cold Food - Incorporating cold foods into your diet during the summer heat can do wonders for your body temperature. Try and minimize hot food consumption and replace with cold food.
