Following the hottest day of the year so far, recorded on Saturday (10 June), the Met Office has declared that the UK heatwave will continue across the country for the next few weeks at least.
Earlier this week, Scotland was also classed as having officially enjoyed heatwave conditions following temperatures of 25C and above for a period of three days or more.
While many of us will enjoy the temperatures usually reserved for the sandy beaches of a holiday paradise, others will not. And, in fact, for older people, children, pregnant women and pets, it can actually be really uncomfortable and dangerous.
Have you tried this unusual bathroom trick to cool down in a heatwave?
So what can you do to keep cool? Yes, the obvious relief of taking a cool shower or cooling down your pulse points with cold water are still effective. But did you know that taking a hot bath can really help to cool you down too?
This sounds unusual, I hear you cry. Here's why you should be taking a hot bath to cool down during a heatwave.
Many look at buying expensive fans or freezing hot water bottles, but one of the simplest ways to cool down is to actually take a hot bath.
Taking a cold shower or bath can actually be counterproductive as when our body is submerged in extremely cold conditions it tries to regulate our core temperature. This means you could actually feel hotter than you did before you tried to cool down.
By taking a hot bath we are able to drop our body temperature as it stimulates our body's thermoregulatory system. This increases the circulation of blood throughout our body and results in the removal of body heat and therefore a decreased body temperature.
Top Tips To Cool Down In A Heatwave
Here are our top 5 tips for keeping cool during the hot weather so you can enjoy this rare UK heatwave for longer.
1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Hot weather usually means that we sweat more so if we’re losing more water then we need to replace it by drinking more. Not drinking enough could mean getting dehydrated. Symptoms of dehydration range from having a dry mouth to dizziness, confusion, sickness and headaches. In the most severe cases, you could suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke which may need emergency care.
2. Be sun safe
According to the Met Office, the hottest part of the day is between 11am and 3pm, but it can also remain really warm after 3pm so use your judgement. If you cannot avoid the sun during these hours, be sure to wear sunscreen, a hat and seek shade when you can. It’s also really important you have water with you at all times.
Read more: 10 ways to recycle household water
3. Take a hot bath
Yes, a hot bath can actually help to reduce body temperature by stimulating the body’s thermoregulatory system.
4. Say no to caffeine and alcohol
You can be forgiven for wanting to dash to the nearest beer garden with friends and family, but dropping your caffeine and alcohol intake will really help you during a heatwave. Caffeine and alcohol can both make us more prone to dehydration, so it is better to drink in moderation.
5. Limit physical activity
If you ever needed an excuse to skip leg day, a heatwave is your answer. While it’s still possible to workout during these warmer weeks, we would encourage you to think carefully about when you do it. If you love a lunchtime run, it may be better to go out in the morning when the sun is not so high and strong. Exercising means sweating and too much of that without replenishing your body and you could be at risk of heat exhaustion or worse. Isotonic drinks are a good way to replace lost salts, fluids and sugars, too. Remember these disruptions won’t last forever.
These are just a few simple tips to stay safe and help you to cool down in a heatwave. Keep an eye out on loved ones and enjoy it if you can!
For more information on spotting the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, visit the NHS pages here.
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