Tips to Reduce Body Heat This October: Staying Cool & Balanced
As October falls, it brings the scorching heat waves with it. Most tropical regions like Mumbai continue to experience hot weather during this month. If you're also dealing with excessive body heat, you might find yourself feeling uncomfortable, sluggish, or even dehydrated.
When the body struggles to regulate its internal temperature, Body heat or heat stress occurs. It is thus very important to keep yourself cool and comfortable, adapt to lifestyle changes, modify your diet and practise some wellness routines that naturally reduce body heat. The following article provides practical tips to reduce body heat this October.
1. Hydrate your body to the fullest
Do not forget to have more water during this heat period. Water is known as the body's natural coolant. It helps to regulate your internal body temperature. The more water you drink, the more efficiently your body can cool itself through sweating and evaporation.
How to stay hydrated:
Make sure you drink at least 8-10 glasses of water or more daily.
Add cooking ingredients like mint, lemon, cucumber etc., and make yourself some flavour infused water.
Coconut water is another excellent hydrating option as it replenishes electrolytes and has cooling properties.
Herbal teas, especially those made from peppermint, chamomile, or fennel, have a cooling effect.
2. Add more cooling food to your diet
Your diet plays an important role in managing your body temperature. Make sure you add foods with cooling properties which will help your reduce body heat.
Cooling foods to include:
Cucumber: This hydrating vegetable is primarily made up of water and has a naturally cooling effect. Include it in salads, sandwiches, or even smoothies.
Watermelon: Rich in water content, watermelon is perfect for keeping your body cool. It's refreshing and packed with antioxidants.
Dahi: Dairy-based cooling foods like dahi are great for balancing body heat. You can have plain yoghurt or mix it with cooling herbs like mint or fruits.
Mint: Fresh mint can help lower your body temperature and give you a refreshing sensation. Add mint to your drinks, smoothies, or salads.
Aloe Vera: Aloe vera juice is known to reduce body heat. It’s also great for hydrating your skin and soothing sunburns.
Buttermilk: A traditional Indian remedy, buttermilk helps cool the body and improves digestion. Drink it after meals for maximum benefits.
3. Avoid Heat-Generating Foods that heat up your body
Just like some foods can cool you down, others have a heating effect that can raise your body temperature. Avoid having spice and fried food to control your body heat.
Foods to avoid:
Spicy foods: spices like chilli, pepper etc. will trigger your body heat to sweat and increase body heat. Excessive spice can cause discomfort in already hot weather.
Red meat: limit your intake of red meat, especially during the heat waves of october. Even though they are protein rich, they take longer to digest which will only cause more internal heat in the process.
Caffeine and alcohol: alcohol and caffeine are known to dehydrate your body’s core temperature. Instead go for refreshing cool beverages like coconut water or lime juice.
4. Wear Breathable Fabrics to cool down your body
Your clothing plays a huge role in maintaining your body temperature. It can either help your body cool off or trap heat.
Ideal clothing tips:
Lightweight fabrics: Choose breathable, light fabrics like cotton, linen, and moisture-wicking materials to allow proper air circulation.
Loose-fitting clothes: Tight clothing can restrict airflow, trapping heat and making you feel warmer. Opt for looser garments to help your skin breathe.
Light colours: Dark colours absorb more heat, making you feel hotter. Wear lighter shades to reflect sunlight and stay cool.
5. Cool your body with Cold Showers and Baths
Taking a cold shower is one of the quickest ways to reduce your body heat. The water is a great helper in lowering your skin’s temperature, cooling you down from outside and inside. If you're experiencing excessive heat, try soaking your feet in cold water, which is also effective for reducing overall body temperature.
6. Practice Cooling Breathing Exercises
Certain yoga practices and breathing exercises can help calm your mind and reduce internal body heat.
Two cooling techniques to try:
Sheetali Pranayama (Cooling Breath): In this practice, you inhale through your rolled tongue and exhale through your nose. This is believed to cool the body and calm the mind.
Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing): This breathing technique balances the body's internal energy, reduces stress, and promotes a cooling effect.
7. Use Natural Cooling Aids
Several natural remedies can help in reducing body heat.
Popular natural remedies:
Sandalwood paste: Applying sandalwood paste on your forehead, neck, and chest has a cooling effect. It’s commonly used in Ayurvedic treatments for cooling the body.
Rose water: Spray a mist of rose water on your face or add a few drops to your bath. Rose water has anti-inflammatory properties that can cool your skin and reduce heat.
Peppermint essential oil: Peppermint oil has a naturally cooling effect. Dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut or almond oil and massage onto your temples, wrists, or back of the neck for relief from heat.
8. Stay Indoors During Peak Heat in October
In October, midday sun can still be quite intense, especially in tropical or subtropical regions. If you're sensitive to heat, it's essential to stay indoors or seek shaded areas during peak hours, typically between 12 PM to 3 PM.
Tips for staying cool indoors:
Use fans or air conditioning to circulate cool air.
Keep your curtains or blinds drawn during the hottest part of the day to prevent heat from entering your home.
If you have a rooftop or terrace, consider using reflective materials or plants to reduce heat absorption.
9. Exercise Wisely this October
Exercise generates heat, and while it’s essential to stay active, you may need to adjust your workout routine during warmer weather.
Tips for exercising in October heat:
Exercise early in the morning or late in the evening when the temperature is cooler.
Choose indoor activities like yoga, Pilates, or swimming to avoid overheating.
Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workout to stay hydrated.
10. Sleep in a Cool Environment
Your body temperature naturally drops when you sleep, but external factors can make it hard to stay cool. Use light, breathable bedding, swap out heavy blankets for cotton sheets to promote airflow.
CONCLUSION
October might bring a hint of fall, but body heat can still be an issue in many regions. By following these tips—staying hydrated, eating cooling foods, avoiding heat-generating activities, and practising mindfulness techniques—you can keep your body temperature in check. These simple lifestyle adjustments will help you stay cool, comfortable, and energised as the weather transitions.
Don’t let the lingering warmth disrupt your day-to-day activities; instead, embrace these cooling strategies and enjoy a balanced, heat-free October!
