It’s the peak of summer and temperatures are soaring. What effect does the rising temperature have on our bodies? Every organ in our body- heart, brain, liver, kidney is temperature sensitive and our body does a really good job of regulating the right temperature. But sometimes the heat gets a bit too much and conditions like heat stroke are real and can cause a lot of damage. Luke Coutinho, Holistic Lifestyle Coach gives us tips to manage our health and wellbeing in summer.
Here are the top lifestyle tips to get you through this sweltering heat.
● Store water in clay pots
Take your hydration a step further, and start storing drinking water in mud/clay pots. Several homes in India practice this. Mud or clay has cooling properties, and thus storing water in vessels made out of it, can help keep the water cool. Plus, it gives a very pleasant aftertaste to the drinking water. Nature has all the answers.
● Ensure electrolyte balance
Due to excessive sweating, we tend to lose more electrolytes during the summer. It is thus necessary to keep a check on replenishing your electrolytes. Electrolytes are crucial for various processes in the human body like transmission of nerve impulses and muscle contraction, among several others. If you have ever experienced stiff muscles or frequent cramping or twitching, then it could mean an imbalance in electrolytes. Electrolytes also help you to balance your pH levels. Some of the best electrolyte-rich foods include coconut water, banana, or a simple lemonade with a dash of pink salt.
● Clothing matters
Most people wear workout and exercise clothing which are dry fits and made of synthetic material. These clothes do not allow your skin to breathe freely. The idea of dressing in summers must prioritize breathing space for your skin. Choose a natural fabric to wear – cotton, linen, or bamboo. Natural clothing allows the skin to breathe properly. Sweating that gets trapped in clothing and skin can lead to a lot of fungal infections and skin irritation.
● Eat seasonal
Enjoy what nature gives us during this time in the form of fruits and vegetables. Foods grown during the summer season are designed to keep you cool. We see an abundance of fruits like watermelon, kokum, raw mangoes, and melons during summers. Make sure you add them to your nutrition plans.
● Workout, but according to the season
People refrain from sweating during summers but sweating helps regulate body temperature. It is a natural mechanism. Pretty much like an overheated engine! You put water in the radiator and it cools down. Your body also sweats because of the same reason to cool you down.
Since it’s sweltering hot outside, move your workout indoors or time it well, so you get to escape the heatwave. So many of our clients have chosen to take up swimming early in the morning, as that’s when the weather is comparatively cooler. Another thing to remember is that being in and out of the air conditioner can also cause cough, cold, and congestion, so one must avoid sudden temperature changes.
Avoid workouts like hot yoga, or sauna at any cost, because this can further lead to dehydration and loss of electrolytes from the body, which if we fail to replenish can do more harm than good.
Best foods to keep you cool –
1. Sattu (Roasted chana powder)
Traditional to Kolkata and Bihar, sattu is an extremely cooling food that hard-working laborers usually eat for their main meals, because not just keeps them full and provides quality protein but also keeps their bodies protected from the scorching sun. It is also light on the digestive system.
I call Sattu the great Indian protein shake. Sattu is Bengal gram or chana dal flour which is roasted and mixed with a little cumin powder or even coriander. This superfood has existed in our country for decades. A cooling agent that naturally brings down your body temperature, sattu is also a pure protein source and rich in fiber, calcium, iron, manganese, and magnesium. In fact, a combination of buttermilk and sattu works as a great summer drink.
2. Lemon water
The good old lemon water. Squeeze lemon into your water if it suits you. Lemon water helps you balance your electrolytes. If you know that you will be exposed to the hot climate and tend to sweat a lot, add a little bit of salt (pink salt preferably) and organic jaggery to your lemon water. It is an excellent sports drink in the summer. If you have high blood pressure issues, ensure that you do not consume refined white salt. But you can have a little bit of pink salt. Pink salt is potassium chloride, whereas white salt is sodium chloride. Depending on your deficiency or the imbalance of electrolytes in your system, make an informed choice.
3. Sabja (Holy basil) seeds
These tiny little seeds, also called falooda seeds, are amazing summer superfoods. When soaked in water, they swell up like frog eggs and look extremely pretty. They have a cooling effect on the human body. For people who have acidity, it plays a big role in helping them overcome acidity and this is great to add to your water in the summertime.
Luke Coutinho, is a globally renowned Holistic Lifestyle Coach in the field of Integrative Medicine. Luke’s approach towards prevention and healing revolves around four important pillars: Balanced Nutrition, Adequate Exercise, Quality Sleep and Emotional Detox.