Illinois is set to experience a staggering heat wave this summer. Temperatures have been slowly rising year on year in the US. And the midwestern states are set to take the brunt of this brutal heatwave that is descending upon us.
Temperatures are expected to rise into the mid 90s in the coming weeks. Some areas have already begun issuing extreme weather warnings in regards to the heat. Yet many people are still not taking it as seriously as they should be. Sunny weather is very misleading. Lulling us into a false sense of security until it is too late. Heat is the biggest weather related killer in America. Hundreds of people die from heat related issues every year.
And this isn’t exclusively the most vulnerable members of society either. People like to think they are immune to the more serious effects of an intense heatwave. But without proper precautions you are putting yourself at serious risk. In this article we will be providing you with all the information you need to survive the coming heatwave.
Hydration Is Key
Staying hydrated is always important. But it is especially essential during a heatwave. On a normal day it is said that you should drink up to 2 litres of water. But on a particularly hot day you should aim to drink 3 litres. This might seem like a lot but it is well worth the extra effort.
The reason for this is that our bodies start to sweat more when it is hot to try to cool us down. And this uses up a lot more of our bodies water. Staying hydrated will help your body better regulate your temperature.
Hydration is also essential in preventing cardiovascular issues. During a heatwave, heart attacks and strokes are amongst the leading causes of death. Dehydration causes our blood to thicken. And this, in turn, makes it harder to pump around the body. Which can then lead to a heart attack. So we cannot overstate the importance of staying adequately hydrated.
Invest In Air Conditioning
People often assume that if they live by a body of water they aren’t going to be impacted by a heatwave. But this isn’t always the case. Especially in specific parts of Illinois like Lake County. The combination of the developed city paired with the incoming hot winds can often create a heatsink that skyrockets the temperatures within the city. And the beaches are generally going to be a lot busier during a heatwave which can also lead to higher temperatures, even while near the ocean.
Which is why you need to invest in air conditioning within your home to ensure you can stay cool during the day and, most importantly, during the nights. We spoke to Optimized Air, they’re an HVAC company in the Lake County area of IL, and they informed us that inadequate sleep due to poor internal temperature control within a home is one of the leading causes of heat related issues during a heatwave. It is the most common complaint they get when talking to prospective clients.
A reduction in the quality of your sleep can lead to a number of mental and physical issues during a normal day. But during a heatwave these issues are heavily compounded and can lead to heat stress and reduced cognitive function. Having adequate air conditioning in your home is also going to greatly improve your overall mood. Knowing you have a cool home to return to will help keep you calm during those particularly hot days.
Avoid Exercise
This one should be self explanatory, but we often see a lot of people sticking to their usual workout regime during a heatwave. But this is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Where possible you should avoid physical exertion as much as possible.
Exercise works by putting stress on your body. We damage our bodies so that they repair themselves stronger than before. This physical exertion often causes us to sweat and burn all of our energy. During a heatwave this can be extremely dangerous. Sweating more will quickly dehydrate you. Which can lead to heatstroke. Working out also puts greater strain on your cardiovascular system. And this stress is doubled during a heatwave. And, as we said before, cardiovascular issues are the leading cause of death during a heatwave.
If you do insist on working out still, there are some things you can do to mitigate the risks. Working out in a fully air conditioned gym is a great start. And ensure that you are hydrating properly throughout your workout session. Try to have a cold shower immediately after the session, at the gym if possible. This will help regulate your body’s temperature again. If possible try to workout during the cooler hours of the day. Early in the morning or later at night. Avoid going for a run outside as well.
