Education & Career Success Guide: summer
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts

Too Hot To Sleep? 5 Tips To Get Some Healthy Sleep

22:12
Too Hot To Sleep? 5 Tips To Get Some Healthy Sleep


With temperature crossing 40 degree Celsius on most days, 'above normal' heat makes it extremely difficult to maintain healthy sleep cycle.

The months of May, June and July are that of scorching heat and humidity in most parts of the country. With the temperature crossing 40 degree Celsius on most days, the 'above normal' heat makes it extremely difficult to maintain a healthy sleep cycle.

Moreover, the frequent power cuts add to the woes of the masses. 42 percent people are regularly woken up by the muggy temperatures.

Here is how one can get a good night's sleep, this summer
Avoid alcohol: It saps essentials fluids from your body. While it may seem like a good idea to drink a tower of chilled beer with your friends, in the long run, it will dehydrate you.

Invest in a quality fan: A good fan uses minimal electricity and makes no noise. A good fan also works wonders in hot temperatures.

Sleep alone: According to a research, around 36 percent couples sleep in separate beds to stay cool during hot nights to avoid basking in each other's body heat.

Have a cold shower before you sleep: A cold shower will help reduce your core body temperature. It will also help you sweat a little less.

Use sheets instead of duvets: Most of us are unable to sleep without a quilt. However, the wiser thing to do would be to use plain cotton sheets to cover you instead of a thick duvet.
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4 Home Remedies To Keep Your Eyes Cool in Summer

23:03
4 Home Remedies To Keep Your Eyes Cool in Summer

Refresh your eyes and get rid of dark circles and puffiness

Feeling the heat? We know that you are keeping yourself hydrated and even been taking care of your skin to keep it healthy, but what about your eyes? Have you been looking after your eyes to keep them protected from the harmful effects of UV rays? Just splashing cold water to wash away dirt and keep them cool is not enough in this hot weather. Your eyes need extra pampering too, as well as a break from sun time and screen time.

It's only when we go to sleep that our eyes finally get time to rejuvenate and feel refreshed. Throughout the day they are constantly at work while we are stuck to our laptops and cell phones or busy running errands. While a healthy diet plays a crucial role in protecting our eyes, helping us get the much needed dose of vitamin A, some external measures are also required.

Here are some easy ways you can keep your eyes protected this summer using easily available ingredients:

1. Tea Bags

Are you a tea drinker? That's perfect because you can make use of your used tea bags to take care of your eyes. After brewing your tea, keep the tea bag aside to let it cool before placing it in the freezer. Collect more tea bags and freeze. When you get back home from work every day, take out two tea bags and place them on your eyes to feel refreshed.

2. Cucumber
Cucumber helps to soothe your eyes for inflammation
This is probably the most common home remedy to keep the eyes cool and get rid of tiredness. Cucumber helps to soothe your eyes for inflammation as well as fight dark circles. Slice chilled cucumber into thin slices and place them on your eyes for 15 minutes. You can also grate cucumber and place it under your eyes to treat dark circles.

3. Tomato

Tomato is a great source of antioxidants and works wonders for the skin and eyes. Take a small tomato and slice it into two parts. Place the pieces on your eyes and let it rest for 15 minutes. You can also make a paste and apply it under your eyes to get rid of dark circles and bring back glow.

4. Rose water and mint ice cubes
Rose water has a calming effect on the eyes
Both, rose water and mint are known for their calming effect. What's more? They can also help in fighting sore eyes. Take a jug and fill it with one glass of water. Add one tablespoon rose water and two tablespoons of chopped mint leaves. Stir well and pour it into an ice cube tray and allow it to freeze. Use to refresh your eyes.

Make use of these simple ingredients to take care of your eyes this summer.
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Sunglasses Are Not Just a Fashion Statement In Summer

05:17
Sunglasses Are Not Just a Fashion Statement In Summer

From blocking out the harmful UV rays to protecting your eyes from infection, here’s why sunglasses are a good buy this summer.


Sunglasses and summers go hand-in-hand. Apart from being a summer fashion statement; sunglasses also help in protecting our eyes from various eye problems. Here are a few reasons why sunglasses are your best friend this summer:
Blocks UV Rays
You must always look for sunglasses that give you 100% UVA and UVB protection. This provides full protection against the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
Protects from eye infections
Wearing good quality spectacles or sunglasses outside can protect your eyes from the germs and bacteria in the atmosphere, thereby, protecting your eyes from bacterial, fungal and viral infections.
Time spent in the sun, and whether or not sunglasses are worn may help explain why some people develop exfoliation syndrome (XFS), an eye condition that is a leading cause of secondary open-angle glaucoma and can lead to an increased risk of cataract.

Fewer headaches and migraines
Tests have shown that the lenses are effective in eradicating the light that triggers pain. Even low-quality sunglasses or lenses can cause strain to the eyes leading to distortion in vision.
Safe driving
While driving into the harsh and bright sunlight, sunglasses can certainly help you see well and drive more comfortably. Further, Night Vision Driving Glasses also keep your eyes protected from the strong glares of bright headlights.
Always a statement
Sunglasses always add oomph! Be it any colour, shape, or style, you can never have enough sunglasses. If you are not satisfied with your outfit, you can always team it up with you right pair of sunglasses to make a fashion statement.
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Spot the 15 signs of dehydration

01:22
Spot the 15 signs of dehydration


Your body's water requirement doubles in summer. Keep an eye out for the signs of dehydration and make sure you stay safely hydrated whatever the weather.
1. Dry mouth
Dry Mouth
Always feeling thirsty? Chances are that you are suffering from xerostomia, also known as dry mouth. It is a condition where the mouth stops or lessens saliva production. It is a way your brain has of telling you that your body is not getting enough fluids.
2. Bad breath
Bad Breath
An extension of dry mouth condition, lack of saliva can increase the production of bacteria in your mouth, leading to bad breath.
3. Dry skin
Dry Skin

Generally we think that summer is all about protecting our skin from harmful UV rays. We forget that even after using all the SPF creams, we might still end up with dry skin. So, if your skin sags after pinching, it’s a sure sign of dehydration.
4. Dry eyes
No Tears
Eyes are one of the most sensitive body parts and any change in hydration level will impact your vision immediately. When eyes are not properly lubricated, they can’t produce tears. If your eyes are itchy and uncomfortable, it may well be because your body fluid levels are too low.
5. No sweating
No Sweating
Just think about it — how can you sweat if there’s not enough water in the body? In case you feel blessed that you are sweat-free this summer and need less deodorant, think again. Sweating is an essential part of your physiology. If you're not sweating, alarm bells should be ringing.
6. Headache
Headache
Many people complain of regular headaches during summer. Our brain sits inside a fluid sack that protects it from impacts and stresses. When the water level goes down, the fluid sack gets depleted and that can mean severe headaches. So, before you pop that pill for headaches, have plenty of water and stay hydrated.
7. Dizziness
Dizziness
Lower body fluids combined with low blood pressure can lead to dizziness. You might also feel confused and disoriented: this is really bad news and can mean severe dehydration.
8. Weakness
Weakness
Our body consists of 60-65% water. Lower levels of body fluids hamper the usual body functions: you'll feel weaker and less coordinated.
9. Less urine output
No input, no output. If the body loses water volume without any replenishment, then it’s very obvious that it won’t be able to pass urine. Less urine output or dark-coloured urine is a sign of dehydration. Don't neglect it! It could damage your kidneys in the long run.
10. Craving for sweets
Having a sudden craving for a chocolate bite or that mango popsicle? The reason is that due to lack of water in the body, the liver can’t release enough glycogens from your energy store. Consequently, the brain sends you these craving signals. In such cases, reach for snacks high in water content.
11. Fever
Fever
Sounds odd, but it’s true. If you are severely dehydrated, you may experience chills or feel feverish. Don’t misread the fever as it can be very dangerous.
12. Constipation
Water is the key to good digestion. So if you are not drinking enough water, the intestines lose flexibility. Inflexible intestines soak up water from food and produce hard stools that are difficult to pass.
13. Heart palpitations
Heart palpitations
If you have experienced irregular heartbeats, don’t ignore the sign. Depleted amounts of electrolytes due to dehydration can affect the heart’s ability to pump blood.
14. Muscle cramps
Muscle Cramps
It’s the direct reaction of muscles seizing up in the heat. When muscles work hard and the body stays dehydrated, there are changes in body salt levels, such as sodium and potassium. The change affects the muscles and lead to cramps.
15. Unconsciousness

This is the ultimate red signal given out by the body when in dire need of water. Extreme dehydration leads to high body temperature and dizziness. Unconsciousness is the sum total of various factors such as low blood pressure, dizziness, etc. If someone's unconscious from dehydration, this is a serious medical emergency.
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The Best Ways To Keep The House Cool In Summer Naturally

03:21
The Best Ways To Keep The House Cool In Summer Naturally


1. Facilitate cross-ventilation

One of the best ways to keep the house cool in summer naturally is to cross-ventilate, so that the hot air can get flushed out of the rooms and bring in the cooler air. However, it’s advisable to use windows to cross-ventilate in the early mornings and evenings, when the outdoor air is cooler and doesn’t come in to add to the sweltering heat inside your house. When you are building your house, design rooms with windows on adjacent or opposite walls so that you can cross-ventilate the rooms in summer.

2. Add some greenery


Plants can act as natural air-conditioning to keep your house cool in summer. Position tall plants near the windows so that they screen the room from direct sunlight. Similarly, when you are planning your garden, work with the landscape architect to grow creepers and vines over the porch or the balcony railing as this will help to keep the house cool naturally.

Additionally, you can grow shade trees or plants with thick foliage outside the east and west-facing windows to act as natural window coverings to keep the sun out. Placing planter boxes on the window ledges is another great idea as they will help to humidify and cool down the air entering the house. If you have a terrace in your house, design a lush garden on it to keep the rooms below cooler during summer. The shade of the plants as well as the water in the soil will reduce the temperature indoors considerably.

3. Breathable curtains


While you need to protect your rooms from getting heated by the sun's rays, when you choose fabrics for curtains, it’s essential that you pick the right material. Rather than thick fabric that not only keeps out the light but also the wind, opt for thin cotton fabric or sheers. If you are wondering what to put on the windows to keep the heat out, natural materials such as jute or bamboo screens are wonderful choices as they allow the air to circulate freely. If you have bamboo screens, you can spray them with water to cool the air entering the room. Remember to keep your curtains closed during the day to prevent heat waves from entering your rooms. Open them only after sun down. Get ideas on how to dress your windows in spectacular style.

4. The right fabrics


The wrong kind of fabric can make you feel warmer inside the house, so if you have faux-leather on the sofas or satin bed sheets, it’s time to change them. If you don’t want to reupholster the sofas, get custom-made cotton covers that can be placed over them during summer. Invest in a few cotton bed sheets in light colours, which will help you to sleep more comfortably in the warm weather. If you still have silk cushions and woolen rugs that you used to keep the space warm in winter, it’s time to replace them with natural fibre rugs and cotton cushion covers that breathe better in the heat.

5. Use cool lighting


If you are still using incandescent bulbs in your home, it’s time to replace them with LED or fluorescent bulbs that don’t generate heat. Switch off the lights when they are not in use, as they can increase the temperature inside the room. Consult an interior designer to get help on installing modern lighting systems in your house that keep the indoor temperature pleasant.

6. A reflective layer

Many houses have rooms located under the terrace or balcony. These get heated during the day due to the roof being exposed to direct sunlight. An idea for keeping the room cool without depending upon air-conditioning is to install reflective tiles on the floor of the terrace or balcony. This will prevent the tiles from absorbing the heat and keep the room below the terrace a few degrees cooler. Another alternative is to paint the floor of the terrace with white lime as it will reflect the sun’s rays. However, this comes with the disadvantage of the coating washing away in the rains, requiring you to repaint it before the next summer.

7. Reduce the load of appliances

Electronic and electrical appliances generate heat when they work, so although you might not realize it, they can increase the temperature indoors. You can help to reduce their impact on the heat by switching off appliances when they are not in use. Invest in smart power strips that automatically power off appliances when they have been idle for a specified time. 

Although you will be tempted to open the refrigerator many times in the day for a glass of cold water, remember that this will increase the load on the appliance, causing additional heat to be generated by the motor to keep the temperature stable. Once you take out a bottle of cold water, store it in a thermal flask so that you don’t have to open the fridge every time need a cool drink. Similarly, try to use other appliances such as the washing machine, dishwasher, stove and oven during the cooler parts of the day so that the heat generated by them doesn’t add to the stifling temperature indoors.

8. Reduce the clutter

Clearing the clutter in your rooms not only helps in bringing positive energy, as per the practices of Feng Shui and Vastu, but also makes the rooms airier so that the breeze can flow freely through them. Make sure that nothing blocks the air from the fan or the windows. Get easy tips on how to manage the clutter at home.

9. D-I-Y air cooler if you want a more sustainable alternative to air coolers and air-conditioners, get an extra table fan for your room. Place a bowl of ice in front of the fan so that the air flowing from it is chilled. Once the ice melts, the cold water will continue to cool the room, although at a slower pace.

9. USING fans in the right spots

Most Indian homes have ceiling fans, but if necessary, don’t hesitate to use an extra one, either a pedestal fan or a table top one. If you are looking for a tip on how to cool down a room fast without air-conditioning, then using two fans will do the trick. It’s especially useful for large rooms. Place the second fan in a spot where it will help to maximize the ventilation in the room. Try to create a wind-tunnel effect so that the room cools down fast.
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