The past four summers have been the hottest four recorded, and this trend is expected to continue. Shilpa Khanna, CEO of Chicnutrix, shares some tips to help you keep your cool and keep you healthy.

Summer is great, the days are longer and abundant sunlight can improve your mood by boosting serotonin, the happiness hormone, and soaking up the sun allows you to get more vitamin D that can boost your immune system, so you feel better. No wonder, people love the summer. But there is a downside too; summer heat can be tough on our bodies, the environment, and our electric bills. And summers have been getting hotter.

You must do your best to get ready for it before it gets here. The question is figuring out what you can do to beat the heat. The following tips are smart, small things you can do to stay cool by the time the heat strikes.

1.) Guzzle Water

Staying hydrated is important during the summer. When you are sweating from the heat or from exercising, your body needs plenty of fluid. Water is best, and it’s free, but drinking anything that isn’t caffeinated or full of sugar will work too. If you are thirsty and hungry, eating watermelon is a great way to quench both.

2.) We All Scream for Ice Cream or Pops

Eat ice cream, sorbet, or even popsicles to cool you off. Make your own fresh fruit popsicles. This can be healthy to eat, and you can control how much sugar they have.

3.) Take a Cold Shower

Cool off quickly in a cold shower when you come home from work or from exercising. Cold water in many climates is cheap so you can take more than once-a-day. If you live in a drought area, taking a short shower uses much less water than taking a bath.

4.) Know Your Body

If you are stuck in the heat and can’t escape it, try to cool your pulse points. Place an ice cube or ice pack on your wrist or the back of your neck. Other cooling points are the insides of your elbows and knees, and the tops of your feet. If you are outside, you can fill your hat – always wear a hat during the summer – with cold water and put it on. You will get a cooling sensation in your head and neck that will cool your entire body down.

5.) Hats & Sunscreen

If you can’t beat the heat at least be prepared for it and practice heat and sun safety. Wear a hat! Preferably a light colour to reflect the heat. Use a good sunscreen and bring plenty of water with you. I keep a few half-filled water bottle in the freezer so that when we are heading out for the day I can grab them out, top up with cold water and they tend to stay cold while we’re out. For additional comfort wear light coloured, light weight fabrics that breathe to allow your body to cool itself down.

6.) Vitamin C

According to research, vitamin C helps support your body to better deal with high temperatures and can prevent serious problems caused by excessive heat, such as heat stroke and heat rash.

So there you have it. A few of the simple ways our family uses to beat the heat when summer rolls around.