How to keep cool and healthy in a heatwave. 🌞
Some key tips to share with your friends, family and patients.
Enjoy the thread🧵⤵️
1. Stop the heat getting in.
🪟 Close your doors and curtains/blinds. The sunlight brings the heat.
😎Shade is cooler so stop the sunlight and you will feel cooler.
2. Adjust your activity.
🕛Avoid being active in the middle of the day and reduce unnecessary movements, this will keep you cooler.
🏃🏿♂️If exercising then remember to hydrate more!
3. Hydrate sensibly
🥤Cool (not cold to look after your throat) fluids are best.
🍸Sip do not gulp as you pee more out.
❌Reduce/avoid caffeine or alcohol as you pee more out
🍉Watermelon, fruit and homemade ice lollies are great for kids
4. Understand your medications
💊You may need certain medications more or less in extreme heat
🫁 Heat may trigger asthma requiring more inhaler use
🚰 Some medications affect your kidneys so hydration is vital
❄️Some medications need to be kept cool like drops and liquids
5. Dress better
👕Cool, loose clothing. Cotton best, modesty as per situations.
🇨🇴Avoid dark colours they retain heat
👡Sensible shoes for the inevitable foot swelling
6. Avoid getting sunburn
🌲Slip - into the shade, avoid direct sunlight
🧴Slop - on plenty of sunscreen, ideally factor 30 or higher and before you put your clothes on
🧢Slap - on a cap, top or thin shawl to protect your skin in the sunlight
😎Wrap - your eyes with sunglasses
7. Manage sunburn easily
If you get sunburn:
🫧 Keep the area clean
💊It hurts, take pain relief regularly
❄️Use a cooling antiseptic cream
🛌🏿Rest, it will take a few days to get better
All done by self-care (rarely need to see a doctor)
More advice: nhs.uk/conditions/sun…
8. Keep cool
👩🏿🦳Wet hair is like your own air conditioning, try it.
🚿Have a cool shower, hot showers are not sensible so stop it
💦Wet flannel on the neck and back is an awesome cooling method
🦶🏿Feet in a water bucket is also amazing and effective
9. Sleep easier
🛌🏿Sleep with minimal clothes ideally naked and thin sheets. Don't waste money on fans/AC if using a duvet
😴Cotton sheets are better than manmade
🐕Sleep separately from partners/kids/pets if able. Body heat makes it hotter
⏲️Change automatic heating settings
10. extra tips
🤣Sleep on the floor. Heat rises, so it is cooler down there
🥗Eat small watery foods regularly rather than large meals
🧂Extra fibre and salt keep the bowels regular and replenish what you lose in sweat
🧊Refrigerate your bed sheets for a cool night
What tips have I missed that need to be shared?
Add them on here if you made it this far....
#Heatwave2022
11. Extra tips 2
👴🏿Check on your neighbours esp the elderly and the vulnerable, it will hit them harder
💊Your local pharmacy can help with hayfever which can be worse and most insect bites
🛞 Cover your steering wheel in fabric/ keep thin gloves so you don't burn your hands
Shareable via your practice teams? @DrNeenaJha @DrSelvarajah @dave_dlt @GP_Templates @TheIGPM @PracticeIndex @redmoorhealth @MirataLtd @MFAminGP @OsmanBhatti @rcgp @BenAllenGP @doctor_katie @CraigNikolic @NottsLMC @IslingtonNCLICB @HaringeyNCLICB @NHSEngland
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.