When winter ends, summer begins, and when it does, it is not kind. People often feel a deep sense of anticipation as the season arrives. The heat, the sweat, the dry air – the things we usually avoid. The temperature remains steady in the initial phase. Most wish it would pass quickly. However, most people know they have to make do with it.
The temperature doesn’t jump up drastically as the days progress. Gradual is not the word here. The spike can be drastic, sudden and unannounced. Some days are unusually hot, while on other days the temperature drops significantly. In the month of May, the temperature can get even worse.
I was amazed by these sudden fluctuations. Instances like these are rare. And, when they happen, children often fall sick. My 5-year-old daughter and my friend’s newborn were both down with a fever for a few days.
My wife can’t stand the sun in any season. When it’s afternoon, she has to keep her head covered. If she doesn’t do that, then that causes her head to ache and also to vomit. Her only solution is to get some sleep. Constant hydration worked, but there are times when she unknowingly misses. Luckily, that’s rare.
Even my manager had once told me to avoid walking in the sun. he was worried it might cause me migraine. However, the heat is not one of my triggers. I know it affects some people in this regard. The trouble is, not everyone can tolerate such heat.
Seasonal changes invite a lifestyle change. We wear lighter coloured breathable clothing materials. They provide some respite.
Then comes the eating habits. Consuming more cooling foods like ice cream and chilled drinks, including beer, offers some relief.
Summer time is also inviting for fruits like mango and ice apples. Mango is heaty and ice apples are cold. A nice ice apple juice is very refreshing. You can make any drink cold by adding some ice cubes.
When you travel outside, there is a sudden burst of aam-panna and lemon juice vendors. Both of them are fantastic thirst quenchers, but are visible at select places. The solution? Buy one yourself and enjoy the taste throughout the year! Better still, make one yourself at home. Those remedies are temporary. Now, we cannot keep having those all the time.
The costless investment is having cold water. Colder the better. Then the threat of having a running nose in summer troubles me. I always try to avoid having too cold water. I would rather mix it with ambient water so that it is not too cold nor too warm. It lessens the threat of catching a cold.
Even travelling to a water resort or beach is a temporary affair. We could get a reprieve only for the day. It is especially hard for people who live far away from the beach. It is not practical to make this visit every weekend.
As a summer-fearing person. I wish there were more trees around and more efficient heat management. Things could be colder and nicer.