Hot Weather No-Nos: 5 Things to Avoid Doing in Hot Weather
Sure, summer is the best time of the year, but many of us also struggle a lot in the heat. Heat causes a lot of discomfort, most often in the form of fatigue and the worsening of chronic diseases. But how can we make our lives more comfortable in summer? Well, we can start by giving up certain habits such as drinking fizzy drinks and using a fan. If you are curious how these things relate to your health and the temperatures, you are in luck! In this article, we will explore the most important things to avoid doing in...
Sure, summer is the best time of the year, but many of us also struggle a lot in the heat. Heat causes a lot of discomfort, most often in the form of fatigue and the worsening of chronic diseases. But how can we make our lives more comfortable in summer? Well, we can start by giving up certain habits such as drinking fizzy drinks and using a fan. If you are curious how these things relate to your health and the temperatures, you are in luck! In this article, we will explore the most important things to avoid doing in hot weather. If you follow these tips, your body will be relaxed, and you will be free to have fun all summer long!
Timer to explore the most important things to avoid doing in hot weather
Hot Weather No-Nos: 5 Things to Avoid Doing in Hot Weather
#Avoid fizzy drinks
We think that by opening the refrigerator and drinking a cold soda, we will feel more refreshed. In reality, however, the influence of the cold drink passes very quickly. We just feel the cold liquid running down our throats. But then what happens? When the sugar enters the bloodstream, the water leaves the body’s cells to rebalance the blood. It is sent to the hypothalamus and causes even more thirst. And because the sweetener from the drinks penetrates the blood very quickly, in 5–10 minutes you will be thirsty again. Generally, you have nothing to worry about, except the risk of gaining extra weight and consuming too much sugar. But when you are in a state of dehydration, however, things get worse. Trying to rehydrate with sugary drinks only makes the lack of fluids worse and damages your kidneys. Soda with sugar is also useless for restoring electrolyte balance. It contains 7.5 times less sodium and about the same number of times more glucose than is needed to protect against hyponatremia. So feel free to bypass the cans of soda and opt for pure, still drinking water or one of these super hydrating drinks!
A cold fizzy drinks sound like a good idea, but in reality they make things worse
#Do not store water in plastic
Plastic bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polycarbonate. When heated, both materials release bisphenol, which is harmful to our health. In addition, PET also releases antimony. The first substance has an effect similar to estrogens and can upset the hormonal balance in the body. The second is considered a trace element and a potential carcinogen. So, do not leave a plastic bottle in a closed car, garage or in the sun on a particularly hot day. All in all, it is better to have a glass or metal bottle for long-term use that is completely safe and eco-friendly!
Avoid storing water in plastic bottles, especially in the summer heat
#Do not leave perishable food out
A temperature of +5 to +60 °C is considered a danger zone for perishables such as meat, fish, eggs. If there are bacteria in the food, their population will double in just 20 minutes. At normal room temperature, it is also not recommended to leave such products out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours. But when the thermometer rises to +30 °C, the safe time is reduced to 60 minutes. To avoid any potential health issues and risks, do not leave food on the table in the summer. Place half-eaten food in the refrigerator immediately. In addition, do not thaw food outdoors. Instead, use an appropriate microwave setting, or transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator ahead of time.
Leaving food out in the summer is a recipe for disaster, you need to avoid
#Do not rely on fans
Fans don’t actually cool the air, they only move it, thus creating a light breeze. Most often this brings relief immediately and helps the sweat evaporate, but this is not always the case. If the air temperature rises above 35 °C, the fan will start blowing hot air all around you. This can increase heat build-up and lead to heat exhaustion. So if the room is very hot, don’t rely only on this gadget, especially during the night. Instead, look for a room with air conditioning.
If temperatures rise a lot, a fan will start blowing hot air all around you
#Don’t drink alcohol
Alcohol reduces the production of vasopressin, a hormone that holds water in the body, limiting urine production in the kidneys. By reducing the amount of this hormone, alcohol causes a diuretic effect, so you need to go to the toilet more often. Along with increased sweating because of the hot weather, the risk of dehydration and heat stroke increases if you are drinking alcohol. So, while you are out in the hot weather, try to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages.
Alcohol causes your body to become dehydrated very quickly
Now you know which are the things you need to avoid doing in hot weather!
