Yes the heat is definitely on in the Philippines! I’m not talking about the chaos caused by the upcoming elections. It’s the summer weather! It’s the best season to go to Philippine beaches and get your tan! For most Filipinos, this is the time to double up on their  sunblocks and whitening products 😉

If you live in Manila, you will feel that every day gets hotter and hotter (and more humid too). If you live in the city, you start opening those air conditioners even during the day in your homes. Well, I remember I never complained about the heat before since I’m always in the office with the aircon always on. People complain when they go out for lunch that the heat outdoors is unbearable! That’s summer for you in the Philippines. I’m sure there are hotter places out there but when humidity strikes here, you’ll feel it’s hard to breathe well. It’s dangerous for everyone really because reality is that anyone can have a heatstroke. So be careful.

Let’s not dwell too much on the deadly effects of hot weather. Let’s find ways to be comfortable everyday, keep ourselves cool, and sweat-free. There are many ways to do this. Here are some measures we do too to stay cool for the rest of the summer:

HOME

1. Make sure your windows are open if your air coolers and fans are turned on. It will allow the air to keep flowing to avoid a suffocating environment of heat. It’s still hot if your windows are closed and you have just an electric fan open. Just make sure there’s good ventilation in your home and rooms.

2. Wear decent summer clothes at home like shorts, sleeveless shirts, cotton shirts, dresses, and other clothes you are most comfortable wearing. Don’t wear just an underwear and a top. Decent house clothes is just but right so that if you have surprise visitors or you have some people coming over for repairs or house service or delivery, you don’t need to rush and change to better looking clothes. Just dress like your on a vacation.

3. If you are conserving energy and you really feel so hot already during the day, open the air conditioner for an hour or 2 to keep the room cold and turn it off after. The cool air will stay for quite some time together with an electric fan on when you turn the air con off. You don’t have to open the coolers the entire day. Just a few hours is enough. Make sure you cleaned the filters and your air condition unit before the summer so it’s at its tip top shape during the summer.

4. Have curtains to cover your window so that it blocks the sun’s rays. It adds heat they go in.

5. Delay some heat-generating activities during the hottest time of the day like ironing and using the oven. For safety purposes, always unplug all appliances when not in use. Be cautious on appliance overuse like electric fans and aircons. They can cause or start a fire.

SELF

1. Hydrate. Always drink lots of water to keep your body cool and relaxed.

2. Put sunscreen. It’s not about being afraid of getting dark but there are harmful effects of the sun’s rays too.

3. Try as much to stay indoors during the peak hot hours from around 10am to 3pm. Wear a hat, shades, or use an umbrella.

4. If you have medium to long hair, tie your hair in a bun or ponytail. It will keep your neck and nape sweat-free. Putting your hair down adds to the head especially if you have long hair. Better yet, have a summer look and get a haircut!

5. Of course, get a good bath to start your day and get another bath at the end of the day. It will help keep you body cool and relaxed for and after the tasks for the day. Give the little kids regular twice a day bath to keep them cool and refreshed too.

6. Avoid hot drinks and alcohol. It generates more body heat. Best to drink cold beverages or popsicles to cool your body during the day.

7. Keep a small spray bottle with clean water in the refrigerator so you can spray on your face and body when you come from the heat outdoors. Somewhat just like spraying Evian 🙂

8. Go swimming or visit the beach with the family to cool down and relax.

It may be frustratingly hot everyday (imagine a 41 degree celsius heat index?!) but try to make the most out of your summer and keep your cool too!

It’s extra extremely hot for a pregnant woman like me so I try my best not to move around that much during peak hot hours and do my walkings at night. I avoid going out during the day if possible. If not, I go to places where it’s cool and pregnant- friendly.

“Summer time is always the best of what might be.”