Heat wave: 5 ways to stay safe and cool

Picture this, there’s no power supply, your generator stopped working because fuel finished last week and you couldn’t be bothered to buy more fuel because, those prices you’ve been seeing? ABSOLUTELY NOT! You tell yourself natural breeze is a better option anyway.

However, all the windows are open but there’s no breeze coming in, and when you attempt to step onto the balcony, you begin to smell ‘suya’ because you imagined your skin must’ve been roasting from the terrible heat from the sun.
Sound familiar?

There’s an ongoing heat wave in Nigeria, and everyone’s been complaining about it.
While we currently do not have the mystical powers to stop the sun from punishing you for whatever sins you think you committed to warrant this punishment (we’re working on it, we promise), we can tell you how best to manage it.

Here are five ways you can manage the heat.

Stay hydrated.
They’ve been warning you to drink water and mind your business for ages, and if you haven’t been listening, maybe you should begin to. Your body system is parched and needs a coolant because of the heat.
You’re not to drink water only when you’re thirsty; set timers or reminders, so your body is constantly refreshed and hydrated.
DRINK WATER!

Wear light, breathable fabrics when going outside.
This is not the time to wear a three-piece suit under the hot sun or pursue your ‘alte’ fashion tendencies and wear a leather jacket on top of a sweater and a compression shirt. We love that you’re being unique forging your own fashion path but read the room.

Don’t add to your problems. Wear free, lightweight, cotton pieces of clothing so you don’t stifle yourself with heat. Unless rings of sweat on your clothes are part of your fashion statement, suit yourself.

Seek shade, especially during peak sun hours.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) when issuing the Heat Stress Warning, advised residents to avoid outdoor exposure between the hours of 12pm and 4pm.

Even though every moment now feels like you’re twelve inches away from the sun, midday is significantly hotter than other periods.

Avoid outdoor tasks and strenuous physical activities during this time frame if you can, and if unavoidable, don’t forget to use your sunscreen!

Take multiple showers as often as you can.

A cool shower always keeps the heat at bay. Whenever it feels like the heat is getting to you and the sweat you’re producing could fill up an Olympic pool, maybe it's time to hop in the shower.

A cool shower would always be a handy tool in regulating your body temperature and taking a shower at least twice a day in the morning and night if you already don’t, might be a good habit to adopt.

Use deodorant!
Emeka, you sweat a lot, we understand. But so does everyone around you, especially in this period. But do you almost lose consciousness when people around you raise their arms and their armpits are exposed to the world? No. So why do you do this to others?
Invest in a good deodorant or anti-perspirant to battle body odor that could arise because of excessive sweat. Look around and get good deodorant that doesn’t cost much.

Don’t be a menace to society; people are already going through a lot because of the heat, perform your civic duty by not punishing others with your body’s odor.

We’re sending a digital breath of fresh air to you and yours; this too shall pass. Yakubu manage!
What else are you doing to manage the heat wave? Let us know!