Whether it is scorching hot summer or freezing cold winter, our body works non-stop to stay in balance. For survival and for comfort, our body`s ability to regulate the temperature is essential.
For the sake of our overall health, we must maintain a stable body temperature. Bitter fact is that when our body gets too hot then we could get heatstroke whose symptoms are confusion, hot skin, rapid heartbeat etc and when our body gets too cold then we could get hypothermia whose symptoms include shivering, pale skin, slurred speech etc.
It was mentioned by WHO or World Health organisation that maintaining body temperature would ensure optimal functioning of organs plus improvement in metabolic performance. Stress related issues would get reduced.
There are certain simple changes or ways or tips by which we could regulate our body temperature and these are
By staying hydrated all time:
For thermoregulation, intake of water is very important as it would play a key role. Sweating as well as proper circulation would take place and these would help in cooling the body. Especially when the temp is hot and humid, it is necessary to drink 8 t 10 glasses of water to support temperature balance.
By eating light and frequent meals:
Metabolic heat production would be increased by heavy greasy meals. This would make us feel warmer. In this scenario, it is good to opt for small meals with fruits, salads, cooling foods like cucumbers etc. It is believed that nutrient dense light meals would support digestion and lower body heat.
By dressing depending on the weather:
In summers, our body would be able to release heat well when we wear loose fitting clothes. In the cold winter season, we must dress in many layers to trap the body heat. As a first step in external temp control, wearing clothes appropriately for the weather would be important.
By avoiding alcohol and caffeine in extreme heat:
Our internal temp would get increased due to the diuretic nature of alcohol and caffeine. This would lead to faster dehydration in us. Hence, we must not drink them during extreme heat.
By taking regular breaks from heat or cold exposure:
Our body would recalibrate when we take regular breaks whether we work in the sun or in the cold. It has been suguggested by the National Institute for Health or NIH that it is necessary to cool down in shaded places or warm up in the winters. This would help us to avoid fatigue due to temperature.
By engaging in physical activity in a wise manner:
It is not advisable to exercise in the extreme heat or cold as it could lead to a few issues. Truth is that in summer we can do workouts in the early morning or in the evenings. In the winter season, we must do certain warm-ups before doing workouts etc. For the sake of thermoregulation, we must change our physical activity schedule to the weather conditions.
By using warm compress or cold pack:
In the summer season, applying cold compress on the neck, wrists, forehead etc would bring down body heat quickly. In the winter season, warm pack application on the lower back or feet would make the body feel more balanced. This would provide a superb solution for the sudden temp changes.
