The Free Press Journal

Beat the HEAT!

Tips to remember while travelling during the summer

- DR ANANT PANDHARE (The writer is the Medical Director at Dr. Hedgewar Hospital, BAVP)

Most people wonder if summer travel is safe, especially with current rising of temperatur­es.

Yes... travel can be a refreshing, healthy, and happy break from the routine if you indulge in a bit of preparatio­n before hitting the road.

Eat and drink responsibl­y: An important part of summer travel is responsibl­e eating and staying hydrated. Heavy meals that are high in carbohydra­tes and fats add to body heat. Hence, one should have light and frequent homemade meals. If homemade food isn't possible, be mindful of where you are eating. Ensure the place is hygienic and the food is freshly cooked. Avoid alcohol and oily food before you embark on your journey to protect your digestive system. Salads and fruits are a sensible addition — vegetables and fruits that have higher water content like tomatoes, spinach, cucumbers, apples, oranges, and watermelon­s. Do not munch on biscuits or chips. Replace carbonated drinks with Kokam sharbat, Kairi Pana and Sugarcane juice, it will keep you hydrated and maintain electrolyt­e balance.

Skincare: Skincare is important during summer as the harsh sun rays block skin pores with dirt and sweat. Bathing regularly will keep skin infections and body odour at bay as it washes away pollution and dirt. Remember to smother a sunscreen when out in sun for long.

Exercise: A light exercise in the form of lunges, stretches, yoga, or light jogging are a good idea when on vacation. While exercising and working out make sure that the body heat is maintained by staying hydrated.

Eye care: Intense sunlight and ultraviole­t rays affect every part of the eye. Hence, we should not ignore the fact that just like our skin, the harsh sun rays can cause severe damage to our eyes. The damage often goes unnoticed, but in the long-term causes irreversib­le harm to the eyes and their surroundin­g tissues. Wear dark-coloured sunglasses when you are outdoors. You can also apply Aloe Vera gel, which has natural cooling agents, under your eyes.

Clothes: As much as we love to dress up while travelling, it is important to choose the right clothing. One needs to switch from synthetic and nylon to natural and lightweigh­t fabrics like cotton and linen while travelling during summer. Cotton

helps maintain the body’s temperatur­e as the material is airy. Wearing the wrong clothes during summer can be an invitation to dehydratio­n and heatstroke.

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