Eight ways to keep your body cool in summer!

Even in the scorching heat, it is possible to keep yourself cool by following these simple steps!

Not everyone is blessed with the ability to afford air-conditioning in their homes. During sizzling summers, even fans seem to spew hot air. Added to that, our inefficient power corporation is forced to carry out load-shedding from time to time. The poor common man is sometimes left with no alternative but to use a hand-fan dating back to his grandfather's generation when blackouts occur in the middle of the night.

But there is a way around the stifling heat -- eight ways, in fact. Read on to learn more!

1. Wet your pulse points and wrists

It's a great idea to wet your wrists and pulse points with cold water -- this helps keep your body cool.

Wrapping ice in a facecloth and applying it will also help preserve the coolness of the body for a long time. Extra care should be taken while using ice, because it can damage the skin through direct contact; make sure it is wrapped in cloth. According to a study, this will help in reducing the temperature of your body by 3 degree Fahrenheit which is equivalent to 1.5 degree Celsius.

One can feel the relief immediately, which will last for at least an hour or so.

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Fans can also help keep your body cool. Usually ceiling fans are helpful in creating a pleasant breeze which will cool a whole room. But you have to make sure that the fan is running in the right direction and in the right location. Sometimes, fans rotate in the opposite direction to create an updraft in the winter season. One thing has to be kept in mind while using ceiling fans -- they are meant to keep people cool and not rooms!

Stand-alone fans are helpful in ensuring good air flow. They have the ability to concentrate on a particular spot.

Another option is the DIY wind tunnel. The cooling power of the natural breeze can be maximised by using one fan facing the wind and the other placed on the opposite side.

The next step is drinking and eating items that can keep you cool. It is not that you should drink water only when you feel thirsty, but at regular intervals to prevent dehydration and to replace fluids that are lost by the body.

Electrolyte-balanced beverages are helpful in giving oral re-hydration. The electrolytes make sure that no vital minerals are wasted through constant sweating in the hot season.

Even ice can help you to retain the coolness of the body, but you have to avoid soft drinks and other sugary drinks. Cold water is more advisable, because the body uses more energy to even out the body temperature if the water is very cold.

You should also concentrate on the internal temperature of the body -- a nice, cold cocktail could effectively cool your insides. Or opt for a watermelon and cherry salad with fresh mint syrup.

It is also preferable to use the microwave instead of getting fried standing by ovens and stoves in the summer.

The next step is to prepare your home to battle the heat. The process includes planting trees in a strategic manner.

If the house is beaten down by hot rays, naturally it will be hot within. Planting some deciduous trees on the west side and on the east side will help keep the house cool.

On the other hand, your choice of tree is also important -- opt for those that provide enough shade.

Perspiration in the summer is actually a way of keeping yourself cool. Perspiration evaporates, taking the heat away from the body. Put your sweaty self before a fan or take in the breeze to cool your body instantly.

Research has shown that physical work on a sunny day naturally builds the tolerance of the body to heat, thus helping to gain strength and function better even in hot weather.

At the same time, indulging in an outdoor running exercise at 3 pm in the afternoon is not a good idea. Instead of doing it in the hot sun, you can opt for an air-conditioned room and save yourself some discomfort.

When the sun goes down, naturally, the temperature outdoors drops. At this time, the outdoor temperature is lower than the temperature indoors. Air can be directed inward using an attic fan or blowing fan fixed at the window, to keep the house cool throughout the night.

A cold shower or a swim in the pool may sound obvious, but it has a whole lot of effect cooling your body. Immersing yourself in cold water helps lower body temperature immediately. If you can't afford to go for a swim, other shortcut methods like ice-cubes and cold water can be used.

Wearing the right kind of clothes is also helpful in many ways. With the hot sun burning above, it is a good idea to settle for cotton clothes. Lightweight clothes with less layers and light colours are preferable. Opting for collared, long-sleeved shirts is a good choice. Also, wash clothes in cold water -- in fact, try soaking a casual tee-shirt in water and wear it after wringing, without drying! Wearing dark sunglasses will prevent the eyes from damage by UV rays. Avoid wearing a hat or cap indoors.

Keeping your body cool in summer should not become the privilege of the affluent few. When you are successful at keeping your body cool, your work gets done on time and you get a good night's sleep. As we all know, a mind well-rested can make better decisions during the day. So keep these tips handy when the mercury heads north in summer!