Let’s face it. The weather’s getting a little crazy over here in Malaysia and it’s sizzling. Not to mention, we’re also having a water shortage and we’re hit by the haze which seems to be getting worse for some of us in peninsular. Hopefully, it’ll all be over soon, but before you lose your minds, here are some ways to help you stay cool, despite the soaring temperatures.
1. Avoid alcohol – Yes, we know. An ice cold beer sounds super tempting, especially when it’s this hot outside! Although it’d provide you with temporary satisfaction, the alcohol would dehydrate your body from the inside and you would feel even warmer later on. It’s extremely tough to resist, but stay away!
2. Eat spicy food – It might be the last thing you fancy on a hot day, but you could really use the chilli. The kick from the hot chilli would stimulate heat receptors in your mouth, enhance circulation, make you sweat and help to lower your body temperature. Banana leaf rice, anyone?
3. Lie low – Hot air rises, so if you need to cool yourself down, lie on the floor or hang around at the bottom level of your home. If it’s sweltering and you have marble floors, perfect! Marble feels cold to the touch and you’d instantly feel refreshed once your body is in contact with the floor. You can also move your mattress to the floor or use a sleeping bag on the floor for a good night’s sleep.
4. Pop your clothes into the freezer – Sounds insane, but it works! Believe it or not, many Aussies use this trick during the hottest times of the year. Seriously, try packing your underwear, pyjamas or jeans in some clean plastic bags and put them in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes before putting them on. Just make sure you don’t keep your clothes in there for too long or they’ll go stiff!
5. Snuggle up cold in bed – Putting your whole duvet in the freezer is a little ridiculous, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep yourself cool in bed. Get a hot water bottle, preferably metal, and fill it with ice water. When you’re in bed, place the bottle at the back of your knees and enjoy the sensation. If you’re worried that your bed might get wet, just put down a towel before the bottle.
6. Keep your head cool – If your head stays cool, the rest of you will too. When you’re heading out in the sunshine, always put on a hat to shield yourself from the heat. Also, those gel patches you adhere onto your foreheads aren’t just for when you’re down with a fever! When it gets too hot at night, go to bed with one of those gel patches on and you’ll be sleeping soundly!
7. Replace body lotions with aloe vera gel – Even if you’re a guy and you don’t use body lotions, apply aloe vera gel everywhere on your body to keep yourself cool. Aloe vera gel helps to soothe the skin and lowers your body temperature. You’d automatically feel rejuvenated and relaxed.
8. Eat anything frozen – Pretty much pointing out the obvious, but some ice cream, frozen yoghurt or frozen fruit would be good. If you have extra time to spare and you need a fun activity to do, make your own ice popsicles with freshly squeezed juice or homemade smoothie. Yummy!
9. Have cold feet – Before you hit the sack, dunk your clean feet in cold water for an instant relief. There are many pulse points in your feet and ankles, and they are extremely sensitive to temperatures. Although it’ll possibly awake all your senses, trust us on this, you’ll have the best sleep ever.
