NDTV’s special on how to beat the heat this summer said invest in an air conditioner. This is similar to saying eat cakes when you don’t your daily bread. I am sure people dying due to heat waves in India aren’t the ones who died just because they missed to invest in an a/c. But they are the ones who don’t even have a house to live in. India is not about IT professionals who work in centralized a/c office environment but India is about people who toil under the scorching sun to win their daily breads. Here are few olden and cheaper ways to save yourself from the hot sun.
*Wear pure cotton garments, and India have them surplus. Avoid wearing synthetic garments. Khadi is the best bet
*At home wear minimal clothes. A cotton brief or a langot (loin cloth) will do the magic. And also the aunty next door neighborhood might find you hot & sexy too.
*Apply oil to head when in sun (coconut oil or Navaratna oil are the best to keep you cool cool and thanda thanda) (forget about what people will think about your oily hair, none will come to rescue your family if you have a sun stroke and die on the roads)
*Keep a bottle of water with you. You can add electral, glucon D, or just plain sugar and salt to it. Keep sipping water the whole day this will fight against dehydration.
*Avoid taking cold Cokes or Pepsis. Instead have Tender Coconut at least 1 in a day.
*Avoid sugar cane juices too – they are not good during summers. Water Melons are a better bet.
*If your work involves a lot of traveling or roaming in the sun - take breaks frequently. Stand under a tree for a while, and keep having fresh juices. Don’t push yourself too much remember that how much ever you work your appraisals cannot get you more than 20 per cent salary hike.
*Keep visiting places like shopping malls and movie plazas to escape the brutal sun. Of course you need not buy anything there.
*Avoid spicy food, and compulsorily avoid eating chicken during summer. They are the main causes for dehydration & loose motion. Have simple food, with lots of raw vegetable like cucumber, carrot and tomatoes.
*If you have enough water, take bath at least twice a day. Or at least keep washing your face, body and head with cold water.
*In the nights if you live on the top floor, keep your fan slow. Keeping it in full speed will only heat up the room. Try sleeping on the terrace itself. Exposing your body to the nature is the best cure for all diseases. (but see to it that you don’t have sex on the terrace, you might be the next MMS victim)
*For people living in other floors, wet few bedsheets and hang them in your bedrooms. If you have ice cubes drop them around the places you sleep. Switch on the fan. You can sleep in peace.
*Avoid sleeping on the floor instead buy some mat (not the plastic ones) and sleep on them.