Dos and Don’ts under the Indian sun

Following a few innovative tips can help you survive the sultry summer without breaking a sweat.

Worried about breakouts and sunburns? The summer survival starter pack begins with a 50 SPF sunscreen and saying no to fries. However, there is a little more to a happy summer than just these two factors.

Here is a list of summer mistakes and survival tips:

Caffeine

Say no to hot cuppa

While the coffee culture fuels the workplace and determines the happiness quotient of the day, it is best to avoid the extra cup of caffeine during the summery day. Caffeine generates a lot of excess heat in the body. Medical experts state that caffeine has a promoting impact on the nerves which makes them work more intensively.
During summer months, the body works at the peak of it’s intensiveness in order to avoid overheating and several other problems. Experts claim that by consuming caffeine the body’s intensiveness is pushed which can make it leaving drained and exhausted.

Tip: Opt for an all-natural fruit smoothie packed with nutritional values.

Spicy food

Trade a spicy dish with salads

We Indian like our dishes hot and spicy, although it is better to pass on the tradition during the summer. Eating spicy food raises the internal temperature of the body to match the temperature outside. As a result, the body’s blood circulation increases and one start sweating. Eating a plate of spicy delight may result in burn like sensation in the mouth which leads to the body heating up and sweating profusely.

Tip: Go for fruit salad and yogurt. You can layer your fruit salad with pineapple, strawberries, kiwi fruit, bananas, oranges, grapes, apples and blueberries.

Shampoo

Use mild shampoos that are not harsh on the hair

Shampooing our hair hair is an essential part of keeping our hair clean. However, a common tendency during the summer is to wash the hair regularly with shampoo which may strip it of it’s essential oils. Instead wash your hair alternatively with Apple Cider vinegar (ACV) which is a natural cleansing agent that does not harm the hair and also helps to keep the scalp clean and shiny.

Tip: As mentioned above, cleanse your hair with Apple Cider vinegar. The right mix is 2 tbsp of ACV to a mug of cool water.

Soda

Opt for a fruit juice instead of soda

A glass of sparkling soda may sound lucrative during a hot summer day but is advisable to say no to this friendly drink. Most soda contain high caffeine, sugar and sodium concentration which are dehydrating agents. Consuming too many glasses of soda with these dehydrating agents may also lead to chronic dehydration problems which is the last thing one desires on a melting day. Don’t forget, consuming soda especially in large quantity also leads to acidity and damages the teeth.

Tip: Fresh fruit juice and coconut water goes all the way! You may even try the desi  alternative-lassi (a yogurt based drink mixed with water and spices).

Exercise

Exercise in the early mornings to avoid the sun

A healthy body is the temple of a healthy mind. It is a good pratice to exercise daily, although caution should be taken while sweating it out in the summer. Do not overdo the cardio. Over exercising may leave you feeling dehydrated and cause muscle cramps. It is also best to avoid exercising outdoors especially between 10 am and 3 pm as it is the hottest part of the day.
Another common mistake is to wear skin hugging outfits and stink-saving polyester blends especially while working out outdoors. These do not allow the skin to breathe and thus stops you from sweating and keeping your body cool.

Tip: Try free hand exercises and yoga practices indoors or under the shade of trees.