Messzelátó Egyesület

Hello all once again!
The summer has finally come to Budapest and it’s really, really hot!! And not in the good way! Temperatures have been averaging above 30 degrees lately, with fairly high humidity as well.

As the temperature rises, here are a few strategies to beat the heat and stay healthy:

• Make sure to drink plenty of water. Keep a container with you if you can and fill it up regularly. Be sure to drink some water even if you don’t feel dehydrated; your body may be dehydrated without your knowledge! If you don’t have a reusable container and buy bottled water, be sure to try and dispose of the used bottle in an eco-friendly manner, such as recycling it or refilling it and reusing it.

• Try to wear light coloured clothing. White colours reflect the sun’s light, while dark and black coloured clothing absorbs sun light, which then heats your clothing. By reflecting the sun light off of your clothing, you can keep cooler in the summer sun. Try to wear loose fighting clothing as well in order for wind to further cool your body.

• When going out and doing errands, be sure not to do too much in one day. Stick to the shade as best as you can and take frequent breaks wherever you can. Again, drink water often and try not to have as much caffeine, as caffeine dehydrates the body.

• Wear sunscreen if you know you’ll be out in the sun for a long time.

• If you have air conditioning in your home, try not to use it too often. Instead, try splashing water on your face and sitting in front of a fan for a few minutes. The water will cool you off better than an air conditioning unit would, and you’d be saving some energy.

Following these easy pointers can really make a difference when it comes to staying cool in the summer heat. Again, staying hydrated is very important, and even though a Coke Cola or a Fanta is refreshing, a bottle of water is better for you. Also, if you like to hike and go on nature walks, this is another good way to relax and stay cool. Find a shady tree to sit under and take a nap, or simply relax and let the warmest parts of the day slip by until the cooler evening comes.

Enjoy the summer as best you can, stay healthy, and be responsible, both to yourself and to the environment!