BEAT THE HEAT
THRILLING SURFS TO REFRESHING DIPS, AQUA ZUMBA ® TO KAYAKING IN HUSSAINSAGAR LAKE, SIMPLY HYDERABAD BRINGS YOU SUPER COOL IDEAS TO BEATT HE HOT SUMMER.
WATER WORLD
This summer, indulge in some cool fun water activities like kayaking and sailing on the Hussainsagar Lake. The Greater Hyderabad Adventure Club ( GHAC) in associa- tion with the Hyderabad Yacht Club ( HYC) has been holding kayaking events at the HYC for water sports enthusiasts. Even if you are a beginner, all you need is comfortable clothing and a drive to learn.
The sailing school of the Yacht Club holds sailing classes mainly for children but adults can also join in every summer. They also have advanced classes. Activities here peak up during the monsoon season. Great Hyderabad Adventure Club 64640518
KEEP THE SCORCH AT BAY
It’s a hot summer in Hyderbabd, but you can retain the glow on your skin with just a little care and some time for yourself. Since the weather here turns quite dry during the summer months, the skin tends to tan heavily and loses moisture. Dr Mamta Ismail, spa manager, Park Hyatt, says, “Good skin care, especially in the summer, is essential for a well-moisturised skin.” She advises maintaining healthy bowel movement to ensure healthy skin. “Detoxify your body whenever possible. Fasting is good for detoxification but make sure that it is done in moderation. Crash diets and harsh control over food creates havoc.” Eating seasonal fruits and also using them for face packs is quite beneficial for the summer. There are several home remedies for skin and hair care at home:
For those with oily skin, a mud pack-based face pack is great and if your skin is dry, using a pack that is oil or cream-based is helpful. Curd or olive oil are good base options for dry skin packs.
Apply a thin layer of curd on the skin. Wash off with water after a few minutes. This helps in clean and cool.
Lemon juice and honey mixed together make for a natural bleach. Apply it on the face and wash off with tap water. This will help you get rid of your summer tan. Honey is a great antiseptic too.
While at home, you can smear a thin layer of coconut oil on your face and wash it off. Grated coconut mixed with coconut milk, when applied on the body, moisturises and softens skin. Just take a light shower and wash it off.
Watermelon juice is a very good skin toner.
If you feel dry in the eyes due to the excessive heat, slice a carrot and place two thin slices on your eyes. Tie them in place lightly using a muslin cloth strip and relax. It will also help reduce dark circles and soothe tired eyes.
Cleanse your eyes with rose water to keep them fresh and cool.
Smear a layer of honey on the lips to keep them soft and supple. You can use coconut oil too but make sure it is used only during night. Use a day lip balm when out in the sun and a night one before going to bed.
It’s always good to use a sun screen cream, which has spf 20-25, when stepping out.
Avoid gram flour if your skin is too dry. If you must, add curd with it.
Cover your hair with a scarf while stepping out but untie it back at home.
Keep hair well moisturised. Use a natural conditioner like a paste of hibiscus leaves. It works as a shampoo as well. Reach Dr Mamtha Ismail at 49491481
BELLY COOLERS
It’s the season for crunchy refreshing salads, cooling granitas, ice lollies and fruity drinks. A little care during summer can go a long way in ensuring you stay healthy and comfortable despite the heat.
Nutritionist, exercise physiologist and lifestyle consultant Karen Campos Bhatia offers plenty of tips and suggestions for eating right. Her advice is to eat light, as a general rule. “When I say light, I mean you need to simplify the method of preparation, tone down on the oil and fat, and use less spices like pepper and garam masala as they have warming properties that are good for winter but can cause acidity in summer,” she says, adding, “Coriander, cumin and turmeric have soothing and healing properties and keep you feeling fresh. Substitute red chili powder for fresh green chilies if you have to, and use lots of mint and coriander in your preparations and garnishings. They have cooling properties.”
Taking in a good amount of fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits helps immensely. “Get inspiration from other cuisines. Mediterranean cuisine is fresh, tasty and healthy. A lot of the recipes are also compatible with the Indian palette,” Bhatia says. Keep yourself sufficiently hydrated, if you are prone to dehydration and heat stroke during summer. Take plenty of fluids in the form of coconut water and fresh juices but ensure you have a bottle of water at all times. Keep sipping as much water as possible through the day. Bhatia says that there is no exact figure on how much water one should drink as it depends on one’s need. “Never ignore thirst and likewise don’t keep drinking just to fill some quota. Our body will indicate the right amount needed. In air-conditioned envi-
WELL AND GOOD
ronments, the body needs less so don’t drink aimlessly as you would retain water and feel bloated,” she says. Besides sunstroke and dehydration, summer also brings with it gastroenteritis and intestinal infections. “This is because we eat anything and are not always too careful about hygiene. Don’t drink sugar cane juice or other fluids from street hawkers. Have coconut water when you need something off the road; cucumber being sold on the street is also very appealing but could be washed with contaminated water,” Bhatia adds. Bhatia gives some healthy eating tips for people to follow during summers
Non-vegetarians should avoid red meat as it is heavy and takes longer to digest.
Vegetables should be steamed and lightly sautéed in a simple tadka so that they retain their moisture and nutrients. Choose a lot of colour in your fruits and vegetables.
Meats, pulses and other accompaniments should be prepared with less fat and less spice. Avoid very salty foods as it causes water retention.
Melons and papayas are in abundance in summer and make for very healthy snacks in between meals.
Substitute whole eggs for egg whites; they are refreshing and healthy.
Infuse fresh mint into water. Leave overnight and drink this lightly flavoured water. It’s very cooling and has a lot of healing properties.
Stay away from too much insoluble fibre as it causes bloating and prolongs the digestion process.
Having yogurt in any form is great in summer. It’s pro-biotic and a healthy option for protein and calcium. It also helps keep cool.
Substitute coffee with tea infusions. They are packed with antioxidants and are cooling on the body even if consumed hot. Mint tea, lemon tea and chamomile tea are good options. Avoid ginger infused or masala teas as they are hot and are good only for winter.
Go easy on the beans and legumes since they can cause flatulence. They provide warmth to the body and are best for winter. Reach Karen Campos Bhatia at karencampos@redfiffmail.com Don’t let fatigue make you give a miss to your workout routine in summer. “In summer the body generally fatigues fast,” says Bhatia. Tone down the intensity of your exercise and work out early in the morning when your energy is at its peak. Take a cat nap in the afternoon even if it is for 10 minutes to rejuvenate your body and mind.
Focus on flexibility and cardio in summer as your body temperature elevates with slight effort and you
can maximise the benefits of these exercises. Go light on weight training as fatigue sets in sooner and your body is more prone to injuries.
Swimming is always a great exercise and more so in summer when being in the water cools you down. Add some fun to your exercise regime with interesting elements like water aerobics and Aqua Zumba ® . “Performing an exercise in water helps quite a bit since the resistance offered is much more,” says Zumba instructor Vijaya Tupurani, who introduced water Zumba in the city last year. It is not necessary to be a swimmer to practice Aqua Zumba ® . Contact Vijaya Tupurani at zumbawidvijaya@gmail.com. She will be conducting Aqua Zumba ® classes at Radison Blu in April.
AQUA FUN
Heading to water parks is perhaps an all-time favourite summer activity. Book a day at your favourite water park for the thrill of sliding down a spiral slide and splashing into cool water. Indulge in a whole lot of other interesting activities like water zorbing and surfing. Jalavihar is a good Saturday afternoon retreat since it’s in the middle of the city and you don’t have to plan a full day off. There are a lot of fun activities, rides, aqua trailers and tilt buckets there to make a summer day cool.
There are some low-on-adrenaline ones as well for children. Another water park, Leo Splash, offers water games such as water rolling and water zorbing. Another huge attraction here is the Flow Rider, which happens to be India’s first surfing ridge and is made with wave technology for water surfing and skateboarding. Ride the wave on a wake board and give into the surge of adrenaline and fun. Contact Jalavihar Water Park, Necklace Road Tel 20013106 Contact Leo Splash, Leonia Resorts, Shamirpet Tel 6640 0000