Summer is here again!

By Nabila Habib (Khabrein.info)

The summer is here and Delhi, despite the long winter and the late spring, is already reeling in the rising temperatures. It is only May and the sun is strong enough in the morning to kill all ideas of a pleasant morning when one steps out to begin the day.

Some things, if kept in mind now, can help save a lot of trouble in these sweltering times.

1. Have water handy
Carry a personal water thermos or bottle at all times. Though Delhi roads abound in trolleys of nimbu-paani and cold water sellers, one cannot always count on them to be omnipresent nor can one vouch for the purity of these sources. If you feel carrying the extra bottle too bothersome, think of the number of ways it can help you. Delhi is very dry and hot in summer and can dehydrate one pretty quickly. Even a glass of cold water taken immediately before stepping out cannot fortify you if you are on the road and under the sun. To be on the safer side, carry nimbu-paani instead of water – this tastes better and will hardly give you a cause for illnesses resulting from dehydration. And if you really do not need the water on your way out, it might help some other traveler who could not carry a bottle of his own!

2. Stay covered
Summer season often brings to mind cool sleeveless dresses and capris and shorts. However, giving way to the summer wardrobe completely is not wise for those who do not exclusively travel in AC cars. A person gets more prone to heatstroke and heat burns when exposed. Not to say of the havoc the sun plays on the bare skin. One cannot wholly be slathered in sunscreen, so it is better to stay covered. An extra layer of clothing reduces the risk of a heatstroke manifold. In summer, wise bikers often wear a wind cheater over their shirt to escape heatstroke. The head should be kept covered as the dark hair absorbs heat and it is already warm up there with the brain burning plenty of calories while functioning.

3. Do not step out in the sun immediately after coming out of an AC or cooler area.
The sudden change of temperature from cool to hot is very damaging for health. We find it very pleasant to step into the coolness of AC ATM booths, but this is not a wise thing to do. This increases risks of catching heatstroke and cold. Similarly, do not rush to the refrigerator the moment you step into the house after a long day of shopping in the heat. Let your body adjust to the change in temperature gradually. Usually just a few minutes of patience either way is enough to make it safe for us to step out in the sun or step into an AC room.

4. Avoid roadside food.
This is the time when food starts getting spoilt too quickly. Everyone knows that monsoon is the time to stay away from roadside food. But summer is equally dangerous and many cases of food poisoning or indigestion are reported because of eating food gone bad in this season. Spring season brings with it plenty of insects that can be harmful. While consuming anything – be it fruits or home-cooked meal, make sure it is not going bad. At the faintest hint of a foul odour or bad colouring, it is safer to throw it away than use it in the name of saving food and then fall ill.

5. Stay active to help in digestion and eat light and drink
Summer makes you drowsy. Summer brings back the days of mid-day siesta. Yes, summer can make one very lethargic. Despite the temptation to enjoy the cool and darkened comfort of the bedroom, maintaining an active lifestyle is important. Not only does it help in washing away the toxins through the sweat, it also makes sure your food is well digested. And talking of digestion, it is advisable to let the stomach go easy and eat light and smaller meals than the rich courses much preferred in winter. This does not mean that one starves. Fill up your tummy by all means, but concentrate more on the cooling drinks and lighter dishes. After all this the summer can hardly overwhelm you!