Temperatures easily rise above 49 degrees Celsius in June, July, and August, and many cannot afford to buy an air conditioner or struggle to pay the electricity bills needed to run it.

According to a report published by NPR, there are ways to deal with extreme heat, including obvious tips such as drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding direct exposure to sunlight. There are also other less common strategies that, when combined, can actually help cool the body.

Plenty of Fluids

One of the most important lessons many learn is to constantly maintain the body's hydration level. Water should be drunk, even in small sips, immediately after any physical activity.

It is recommended to carry a water bottle when going out because it can save a person's life. There are also some drinks that can help replace salts lost through sweat, in addition to maintaining hydration.

Refreshing fruit drinks such as sugarcane juice, coconut water, mango juice, or cold drinks made from milk or yogurt can be consumed.

Summer heat – expressive image from iStock

Eating Suitable Food

Another lesson is to never go out on an empty stomach – one should always eat something, such as cucumber (which contains dissolved salts) or pineapple as a light snack will suffice.

Benefits of Showering

If a person feels hot, they can take a cold shower or at least periodically splash water on their face and hands, and wash their head with water – this will help lower body temperature.

A Cool Place to Relax

One should consider finding the coolest parts of the building where the person lives, and make it the sleeping or sitting area. Because heat rises, the lower floors in multi-story homes are cooler. Balconies are also shaded and well-ventilated. During the day, sunlight should be blocked with thick curtains and fans should be turned on if available.

Sometimes, the air indoors can become very stuffy, so a person can move outside and lie on a swing. The air generated by swinging helps cool the body.

Smart Tricks

Among the smart tricks to bring in cool, moist air is hanging a woven straw curtain on doors. When sprayed with water, it turns hot air into a cool breeze. In India, for example, a special type of aromatic herb called 'khus' is used for this purpose. There are also curtains made of soft bamboo – providing protection from direct sunlight – with a soft wet cloth added inside for cooling. Or a heavy, damp cloth. A simple cloth curtain can also suffice.

Expressive image of high temperatures – iStock

The Effect of the Desert Cooler

The desert cooler, widely used, operates with high efficiency in low-humidity conditions. This electric device is also known as an evaporative cooler, as it passes room air over water-soaked pads, cooling the air, then recirculates it into the room. These devices are cheaper than air conditioners and consume less energy.

Light-colored and Lightweight Clothing

The Rabari people (a nomadic tribe in western India) and many other tribal communities attach small mirrors to their clothing to reflect sunlight.

In addition to using cotton and linen fabrics in their clothes – both cool the air because their woven threads have large pores that allow air circulation – their choice of colors in clothing is very clever. They cleverly exploit the fact that black not only absorbs heat faster than white but also releases it much faster. Due to the nature of their work, women constantly enter and exit their tents, while men herding livestock stay outside for longer periods. Therefore, to keep the body cool, women are advised to wear dark colors (because these colors cool quickly once they enter an enclosed space), while men wear light colors (because they heat up more slowly than dark colors during long periods outdoors).

Covering the Head or Neck

In summer, covering the head is an old custom. Whether nobles wearing turbans or common people using a traditional rectangular wet cotton cloth called 'gamcha' for men and 'dupatta' for women. It is a wet white towel, commonly used in rural areas and even in cities.

Avoiding the Midday Sun

During the hottest hours of the day, one should try not to waste energy or exhaust themselves by going out, exercising, or standing outside, because the scorching sun and hot air will increase the feeling of heat.

Utilizing Shade

Whether a person is working outdoors or walking in the street, they should stay in the shade provided by trees. The actual air temperature is the same under the sun, but the skin will not absorb sunlight and it will not cause the body temperature to rise.

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