New Delhi, Wednesday, June 20 The relentless Indian summer is here while everyone is looking for ways to survive healthily at such temperatures. Moving out from your home or office without any protection feels like getting roasted or boiled alive under the scorching sun. Do not let the heat spoil your days of summer. We have put together a list of five essentials that you are advised to carry at all times. These essentials would help you face the heat boldly and persevere in you day to day activities.
1) Water: Higher the temperature, greater is the loss of body water. This may lead to dehydration and many other serious ailments during hot summers. The best way to keep all that at bay is to keep your body dehydrated. So, if you are venturing out, carry a water bottle with you. This would allow you to drink water at regular intervals and save you the pain of searching for clean drinking water while you are on the move. Do not wait to feel thirsty, keep drinking in little amounts consistently.
2) Shades: Heat waves are very common during summers, especially in north, central and east India. Your eyes also need protection from heat and dust. Just as the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage the skin, they can also damage the lens and cornea of your eyes. Choose a shade that covers the largest area of the eye so that sun rays cannot sneak in from the sides. Also, look for higher UV protection of both A and B types.
3) Sunscreen lotion: Apply sunscreen to the skin of all exposed body parts to lessen the effects of darkening and damage by UV rays due to prolonged sun exposure. Go for a sunscreen with higher SPF (sun protection factor) and try to include one that has zinc oxides in your consumption. Sunscreens with zinc oxides block more of both UVA and UVB rays. Also, apply after every 2 hours if you are outside as the sunscreen gets washed away by perspiration.
4) Wet tissues: Sweat and dust are a part and parcel of the Indian summer days. As soon you step out of your home and office, you are exposed to a variety of pollutants, germs and SPM (suspended particulate matter). An effective way to handle the deposition of such irritants on your skin is to wipe them off with wet tissues. Keep a scented wet tissue in your bag and feel fresh anytime, anywhere just with a single wipe.
5) Umbrella: The good old umbrella can be a great companion for the hot summer. It covers a huge area of the body and protects it from harmful solar radiation of every kind. The umbrella is ideal when you are walking long distances in the sun and you need a defense against the steady solar onslaught on your body. If there is a sudden downpour and voilà your umbrella saves you from getting soaked too. Try to use lighter shades as they absorb minimum and look cool too.
