The triple digit heatwave

This past weekend many parts of the USA experienced a triple digit heat wave with very little real relief insight (only by a few degrees). Tempers seem to flair a bit quicker and more vividly when heat or alcohol for that matter are involved. So, being quirky and eccentric and good natured, I will share a few tips to help everyone keep their, "cool" doing the dog days of summer. I hope you will enjoy, if not at least demonstrate some restraint and civility with your comments :-)

1) Consult your health care provider if you have or believe you may be at risk for heat related injuries.

2) Drink plenty of fluid, preferably water and preferably cooled

3) If you must be outside for any considerable length of time, please wear lighter colors and keep your skin covered in clothes made of breathable materials like cotton.

4) Take frequent breaks and move to the cooler parts of your building (or go inside if you are working outside) to allow your body a chance to literally cool down.

5) Get plenty of rest. This along with sufficient hydration will help your body better cope with the intense heat it may be exposed to.

6) If you can tote along a cooler (small or large) or insulated lunch box with freezer packs or ice (to keep the content cooler). Bring chilled fruit for snacks as it will help to keep you cool while help your body replenish lost hydration. Juicier fruits are better (as they have a higher water content) like oranges, watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes, honeydew melons, etc.

7) Eat lighter meals and if necessary eat more frequently. Your body already has enough to do keeping you cool. Eating lighter meals will require less digestion by your body, in turn making you feel more even-kill or at least less sluggish in the early afternoon.

8) Smile more even if you feel like crap. Let's use the fake-it-to-you-make-it phenomenon which really does work (most of the time). Meaning the more you smile especially if you are in a bad mood, the more that bad mood is likely to ease up a bit and possibly even make you a bit cheery.

9) If you have elderly relatives, friends or other family who are susceptible to heat, check on them daily or at least make an attempt to check on them daily or every other day (even if you are two thousand miles away). Sometimes when people know they are thought of and cared for they are more likely to take care of themselves because they know have something else to live for...

10) Be kind to one-another and show a little civility