Comfort in Cool: Beat the heat with NEO's summer cheat sheet

By Paulina Icban, Diane Sarmiento, Ayanna Zoleta

May 25, 2023

(Photo sourced from lenjonson.com)

Out of the frying pan and into the fire – lately, life just feels like this, literally. With the scorching sun and the humid weather, going outside is a challenge, and staying too long in such a high temperature may lead to dizziness, headache, or worse, heatstroke.

One cannot simply judge the wholeness of the excruciating summer season but fear not as NEO has prepared a roster of tips to stay cool in the brutal swelter of a May day.

Drink your water, b****!

Summer is a time of sweating bullets and no other weapon can counter this but to rehydrate. Self-awareness is key and knowing the symptoms of dehydration such as increased thirst, dry mouth, and tiredness can help nip the problem in the bud. Avoid coffee (it’s difficult we know) and tea as these contain the stimulant caffeine which contributes to dehydration

Two simple words: Stay hydrated. Heat exhaustion usually happens when exposed to extreme heat, so getting a frequent fix of H2O is a must. Better if you bring your own water bottle, that way, you can take sips of water any day and not only when you are parched – drink more water than usual especially when you are on the move or running an errand outdoors. This is the simplest and most efficient way to create camaraderie with your body during the summer.

Seek shade from the sun

When you are out and about, stay in the shade or places with trees as much as you can, that way your body is subjected to a cooler environment. Bring with you an umbrella that can help shield direct sunlight if there are no other options but to walk under it. Mini-fans are a trend these days and a useful one at that. Contemplate purchasing one to beat the heat with portable handheld fans to cool you off.

If you don’t have any other important business outdoors, then it’s best to stay inside the comforts of your home. Within your four walls, you are protected from any sort of direct exposure to the harshness of the sun. This is a total win for homebodies who are easily exhausted from the heat.

SPF is your BFF

The goal is to age like wine, not milk. Protect yourself from the cancer-causing UV rays with your BFF SPF. The higher, the better! Do not leave home without it. SPF should be applied on your face and your body especially on the areas that are exposed to the sun. Even without direct sunlight, sunscreen should be worn both indoors and outdoors. You don’t have to worry about the sticky feeling bestie, there are different types of sunscreen available in the market— gels, creams, sprays, powders and sticks. Love in different forms.

Ten years from now, your future self will be thanking you for wearing your sunscreen everyday all throughout the different seasons.

I scream, you scream, get yourself that ice cream!

Treat yourself with an array of flavors brought to you by the ever-loved ice cream. Your tongue and soul will thank you with this perfect dessert after any savory meal. Aside from this dessert being one of the most accessible heat-relievers, it is also available in all sorts of flavors you can think of. There is not one thing not to love about the cold and luscious ice cream. You could never go wrong with savoring the creamy goodness of a cold ice cream on a hot summer day.

The right color palette will save you

Literally shield yourself from succumbing into the heat by rejecting the light that comes your way through wearing light-colored clothes when exposed in direct sunlight. In the infrared spectrum, white clothing appears to be congruent to black clothing. About the same amount of heat radiation is reflected by each of them. White clothing is definitely better as it doesn't absorb as much visible light. See, science is integral in practicality and survival! Go learn your color theory!

Make sure to come out of the heat alive and still as fresh as ever with these tips from NEO. See you next season!