As the mercury levels rise, so does your uneasiness. Here’s a guide to shield you from the summer discomforts and help you keep cool this summer

As the days of summer get hotter, it seems difficult to keep cool in the blistering heat. Here are few tips that will help you beat the summer heat.

Stay Hydrated

Humans lose high amount of water through sweating and in the process of keeping the eyes, mouth and skin moist. As we get dehydrated, the body temperature rises. To replace the lost fluid, you must drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. Besides water, popular drinks like lemonade, coconut water and fruit juices, due to their sugar and fibre content, help in replenishing the liquid reservoir.

Diet Boosters

Fruits like grapes, apples, pears, watermelons, oranges etc. and vegetables like cucumber, lettuce etc. have a high water and fibre content and are loaded with essential nutrients. These help restore the body’s electrolyte balance and are crucial in maintaining the ideal body temperature. These can be incorporated into your diet in many different ways. Simply tossing them into a salad or eating them raw for a mid- morning snack can keep the body in a better shape. Green tea is also said to speed up one’s metabolism and can be a good option during summer.

Manage Your Meals

Start your day with a healthy breakfast. Eating a breakfast with protein and carbohydrates kicks your metabolism into high gear and provides energy for the day. Have light meals that will not weigh down your system. It’s important to avoid fried and heavy foods that take long to digest and slow down your body’s cooling process, making you feel sluggish and lethargic. Substitute a heavy meal with salads made from tomato, cucumber, lettuce and beans. Having early dinner during summers also makes you feel fresh and energetic.

Sheetkari Pranayam

Summer sometimes leaves you parched and water is not handy. At such times, Sheetkari Pranayam cannot only relieve thirst instantly, but also cools down the body and relaxes the mind.

Method:-

Sit upright in a comfortable posture, keeping the head, neck, and spine erect.
Rest your hands on the knees.
Open the lips and fold the tongue inward towards the throat, touching the tip against the upper palate.
Keep the upper and lower teeth together.
Inhale deeply through the teeth, keeping eyes open, with a sound like ‘si’, feeling the coolness at the back of the throat.
Then close the lips and relax the tongue.
Hold the breath as long as you can, with closed eyes.
Slowly exhale through the nose without opening the mouth and feel the coolness of the breath in your entire nervous system.

This cycle can be repeated multiple times and can be practiced even while standing or walking.