The hottest day of the summer in Ukraine: how to cool down quickly and what you shouldn't do

On Wednesday, July 17, Ukraine is experiencing the hottest day of the summer. At such extreme temperatures, it is very important to take care of your health and do so in a way that does not harm your own health.

As you know, heat can lead to physiological overstrain. OBOZ.UA has collected some tips on daily habits and rituals to feel good when the degrees are breaking all records.

So, to survive this heat, you should follow these tips:

1. Dress lightly. Choose light, loose materials such as linen or cotton in one layer. Give preference to light colors because dark colors can absorb heat and warm you up even more.

2. Choose the right bedding: cotton or linen are the most breathable and keep you cool. Polyester and cotton blends, on the other hand, will not keep you cool and dry.

3. Cool the sheets. To do this, put them in a bag and place them in the freezer for a few minutes, then put them back on the bed. The coolness won't last all night, but it will be enough to help you fall asleep comfortably.

4. Take a cool shower. A bath or wet wipe will also work.

5. A frozen water bottle can also be used to cool you down. Wrap it in a towel to protect the skin before use.

6. Use air conditioning or a fan whenever possible. For best effect, place a bowl of ice in front of the fan.

7. Ice packs or a wet, cold towel. Place them on "pulse points" such as wrists, ankles, elbow bends, and the backs of the knees, after protecting the skin with a towel.

8. Apply SPF 30 or higher and don't forget your hat and glasses. Reapply sunscreen for long periods of time when you are outdoors. Sunburn can lead to dehydration and make it difficult to cool down.

9. During periods of extreme heat, limit vigorous exercise, especially outdoors. If you feel faint, lie down and raise your legs above your head. Try to move to a cool place as soon as possible and drink fluids.

10. Watch the caffeine you consume. It is found not only in coffee, but also in chocolate, tea, sodas, sports drinks, and many over-the-counter medications.

11. Heat and alcohol are a bad combination. It can cause nausea and dizziness. And if you drink too much, you can disrupt the hormones in your body, causing your body temperature to sometimes rise for a short period of time, known as "hot flashes."

12. Drink plenty of water and as often as possible, even if you are not thirsty. You may not even realize you are losing water.

13. Avoid sun exposure, especially from 12.00 to 15.00.

14. Avoid foods high in protein and do not eat stale foods.

15. Do not leave children and pets in parked cars.

16. Keep animals in the shade and give them plenty of water.

17. Keep your home cool, use curtains, shutters or sunshades, and open windows at night.

And most importantly, consult a doctor immediately if you feel weak or unwell.

According to the forecasts of weather forecaster Natalia Didenko and the Ukrainian Weather Center, the temperature will reach +39+40 degrees Celsius on this day. The hottest will be in the southern regions, while in the west and some northern regions of the country it will be slightly fresher and thunderstorms are expected.

"In fact, this is the hottest day of the summer (July 17 - ed.), and then, as far as I'm concerned, it's the peak, no matter how the atmosphere cools down. Of course, there will still be heat and intense heat, but we seem to have overcome such fierce extremes as +28 at night and +40 during the day. As always, that's all," Didenko said.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- In the coming days, the heat wave will continue in most regions of Ukraine. If you are exposed to direct sunlight or hot rooms for a long time, you can get heat or sunstroke. Therefore, you need to know how to provide first aid to the victim before the arrival of doctors.

- On July 16, the long-awaited rain fell in some places in Kyiv. On July 14, Lviv and the region were hit by severe weather. There were reports of lightning striking the power grid and trees in the city. It was noted that a fire had started in these places. Some areas were left without electricity.

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