Travelling to India this summer: Few tips to combat heat

Summers in India ranges from mid-April to the end of August, after which monsoons prevail the heat followed by winters in November.

We Australians are not very used to these high heat conditions and can get sick if exposed to for extended hours, including Heat Strokes. Heat Strokes are fatal sometimes.

Thus if you’re planning to visit India this summer make sure you’re gear ready because Indian summers are unlike those “always pleasant weather” European summers. Indian summers are harsh, sweaty and dusty, enough to take life out of you.

If you’re thinking going shopping as soon as you reach India, then better postpone the idea until sunset. The sun in summer is particularly overwhelming. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t go out in summers at all. With proper gears and preparation, you definitely can.

Here are some of those gears you should wear to combat Indian summer’s heat:

1. Cover you head: A cap, a scarf, or a hat will do the job. In addition to saving you from direct heat, these gears also save your hair and scalp from penetrating UV rays. A heat stroke is generally triggered from one’s head if exposed to heat for a long time.

2. Wear Goggles: Like hair and skin, eyes also need protection from UV rays. Goggles are perfect UV protectors.

3. Cotton Clothes: Wearing cotton clothes is the best idea to protect your skin from sunburns. The cloths should cover most of the body or any exposed part would be vulnerable to sunburns. In addition to jeans and a full-sleeved torso, make sure your shoulders and neck are covered too.

If possible, wear gloves to protect your hands’ skin. Moreover, wear sunscreen, sometimes a thin piece of cloth is not enough to protect your skin from the penetrating UV rays.

4. Drink Water, a lot: Yes, if walking under the sun, you’re probably going to sweat a lot. And if you run out of water to sweat, you’ll dehydrate. Therefore, drinking a lot of water is important, at least 5-6 every 12 hours if you’re walking under the sun.

In addition to water, Indian roadside drinks like lemonade, lassi and sugarcane juice also protects you from dehydration. However, avoid aerated drinks like sweetened sodas.

5. Consume small diets: Don’t eat too much all you’ll be spending rest of your stay in India in probably a loo or a hospital ward. Rather take small meals at regular intervals. Too much gap between consecutive meals will only make you eat a lot at a time, upsetting your stomach.

Fruits and vegetable salads, which are widely available in India, are considered a great meal for Indian summers. The salads in addition to filling your stomach, prevents dehydration.