Posted on January 02, 2022

Dressing for the heat.

Category:Wellness

The best way to avoid heat-related illness is to avoid the heat altogether but this is often hard to achieve. It can be partly achieved by staying under a shade but if one needs to go, then there is a need to keep in mind the important clothing or covering one needs to limit the effects that the heat would have, the kind that would lessen the sweating but nonetheless, remain fashionable.

1. Go for breathable material such as Cotton, linen, or jersey: These materials don’t constrain the body and provide a cooling effect by allowing proper air circulation. Cotton fabric is highly absorbent and so helps absorb sweat.
2. Avoid polyester, nylon, and silk materials: Even when these look great, they are not breathable materials. They retain moisture and can cause discomfort.
3. Choose light-colored fabrics: Colors on the lighter end of the spectrum such as white or grey colored fabric absorb less of the sun compared to other darker colors. Darker colors trap sunlight and make one feel hotter in hot weather.
4. Wear loose-fitting styles: These don’t constrain your body and have better breathability compared to tight-fitting clothes and work well to help the body reduce heat.
5. Accessorize: Wear sunglasses when outdoors or wide-brim hats. These can help you look fashionable while you beat the heat. The best are those that have UV protection and glare protection, as well as brightly colored frames. Other accessories that may come in handy include sunhats.
6. Breathable shoes: Swollen and sweaty feet are a common sight during hot weather. It’s important to wear shoes that are comfortable and not constraining with breathable material like canvas and cotton. Rubber and leather are not a good option during hot weather.
7. Apply and carry appropriate sunscreen formulations: Sunscreens, also known as sunblock are photo-protective products for application on skin that may absorb or reflect the sun’s UV rays and prevent sunburn or even skin cancers. They supplement other forms of photoprotection from the sun’s heat such as clothing, sunglasses, and sunhats. To choose the right sunscreen, one might have to speak to their doctor or pharmacist to see which SPF is appropriate for their particular skin type.
8. Choose the right lip balm: Lip balm or Lip salve helps moisturize and relieve chapped or dry lips. Dry air and wind have a drying effect on the lips by drawing away moisture; the effect is most felt on the lips whose skin is thin. They are usually the first part to show signs of excessive heat by drying. Applying petroleum can prevent moisture loss.