| The days are scorching and as it gets even hotter, here are some tips to stay cool and beat the heat. | ||
| Facts about Sun Exposure The sun radiates light to the earth, and part of that light consists of invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays. When these rays reach the skin, they cause tanning, burning, and other skin damage. Sunlight contains three types of ultraviolet rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA rays cause skin aging and wrinkling and contribute to skin cancer, such as melanoma. UVB rays are also dangerous, causing sunburns, cataracts (clouding of the eye lens), and immune system damage. They also contribute to skin cancer. UVC rays are the most dangerous, but fortunately, these rays are blocked by the ozone layer and don't reach the earth. What's important is to protect your family from exposure to UVA and UVB, the rays that cause skin damage. |  | |
| Avoid the Strongest Rays of the Day First, avoid being in the sun for prolonged times when it's highest overhead and therefore the strongest (normally from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM in the northern hemisphere). If kids are in the sun between these hours, be sure to apply protective sunscreen - even if they're just playing in the backyard. Most sun damage occurs as a result of incidental exposure during day-to-day activities, not at the beach. | ||
 | Cover Up One of the best ways to protect your family from the sun is to cover up and shield skin from UV rays. For all-day outdoor affairs, bring along a wide umbrella or a pop-up tent to play in and wear sun glasses to protect your eyes from the harsh UV rays. . Always wear a good sunblock with atleast an SPF30. For those who swim or stay outdoors for long, you need to reapply your sunblock every 2 hours and a higher sun protection factor - atleast SPF 50 is better . | |
| Wear What's Right With soaring temperatures and increasing humidity, it is important to wear the right fabrics - cottons and linen ‘breathe’ and allow the perspiration to dry up, thus keeping your body cool. Also wear light colours and loose airy outfits so that air can circulate and you stay cool. | ||
| Cool Off The food you eat in summer should be light and easily digestible Avoid overly spicy and ‘heaty’ foods in summer. Have plenty of fresh fruits and salad which contain natural water. Include fresh fruit juices - typically coconut water, watermelon juice and good old ‘nimbu-paani’. This will help your body stay cool and flush out toxins. Always carry a bottle of water with you and drink atleast 6-8 glasses of water daily, this will help keep you hydrated. As they say water is a magic potion. |  | |
| Get Wet Go for a swim or take a cool shower to bring down your body temperature and for a fresh feeling. However avoid swimming in the afternoon as you may end up further damaging your skin. You could also keep a spray bottle filled with water in the refrigerator so that you can spray yourself at regular intervals. The evaporation of the water will cool down the blood flowing through your veins. Stay Indoors Stay indoors as much as possible and enjoy the air conditioner. If you need to go out in the afternoon - head to a mall, a day spa or to the cool confines of a movie theater where the heat does not affect you. Escape Take a break, pack your bags and head for a cool location, maybe a hill station. Soak in the breathtaking natural beauty and chill yourself. | ||