Beat the Manila heat with these easy tips!

It’s blazing in Manila. The summer season has announced its arrival with a mixture of heat and humidity that commingle to form the annual heatwave. And while it would be lovely to be by the beach right now, we know that’s not really an option. So if you’ve been feeling a little hotheaded (no pun intended), then read on to find out some quick coping mechanisms for when the heat index reaches 40 degrees Celsius — again. 

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Drink lots of water

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Kind of obvious but still very important: keep yourself hydrated! Water helps reduce body temperature and keeps us feeling good. Case in point: mild dehydration can present itself as headaches, tiredness, and dizziness, all of which are no good especially when it’s sweltering outside. Take a sip from a glass of cold water for a refreshing feel. 

On that note, try to avoid iced coffee or that cold bottle of beer. While delicious, caffeine and alcohol can result in dehydration. 

Dress for the heat

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The rule to follow when dressing in the summer is: loose, lightweight, and light-coloured. Flowing garments allow for air circulation while light coloured fabrics tend to reflect light and heat. Try to avoid tight-fitting clothes as well since they can be restrictive, sweaty, and overall uncomfortable in the humidity. 

Natural fibres such as cotton, linen, or silk are also much better than synthetic fibres in keeping your temperature low. Keep that in mind when choosing what to wear to your next meeting. 

Utilise your refrigerator

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Keep things cool — literally! If there’s any extra space in your refrigerator try storing your sheets in the refrigerator for an hour or two before you go to sleep. Although the effect is temporary, doing so could be helpful for those who don’t have an air-conditioner. 

Create a DIY face mist

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Another tip is to keep a spray bottle with water in the refrigerator. Anytime you’re feeling warm, spritz some onto your face and body for a nice, refreshing mist. Mixing one part aloe vera gel with three parts water to make a mist could be helpful, especially since aloe vera is known to have both cooling and moisturising properties. 

Cool down

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Place an ice pack or douse some water on strategic areas in your body to maximise a cool-down. These include pulse points and heat zones such as your neck, your wrists, your ankles, your armpits, and behind the knees. 

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