There’s nothing worse than sunstroke to put a damper on things during the summer. The best way to lessen the toll of the sun on your body and mind is to educate yourself on how to beat heat. Follow our guide for a fun-packed summer less the heatstroke.
Stay hydrated
Water is your friend. Keeping yourself hydrated is the first step to beating the summer heat; and you need to drink a fair share of water while on the Maltese archipelago because of the intense heat! Heat causes us to sweat, so replacing your water mass with fresh water is imperative while voyaging around and enjoying the sun’s heat. Add a few electrolytes to your water for that extra punch - or give coconut water a shot!
Stay out of the sun
Avoid peak hours at all costs: the UV rays from the sun are at their strongest; and most harmful, from 12pm till 4pm - the perfect time for a cool breather and a bite to eat. Sit somewhere cool, refresh, re-energise and get ready for another sun session. The sun shines till 8pm or so during the month of August, so there’s plenty of time to hit the beach after your afternoon siesta.
Wear a hat
Shielding you head from the blazing sun is another way to keep cool and avoid unpleasant headaches throughout the evening. Whether it’s a trucker cap or a straw hat; protect your scalp from sunburn when you’re on the move in Malta and Gozo. Keeping covered while swimming is another great tip that is often forgotten. The reflection of the sun’s rays from the water’s surface intensify the heat and can cause dehydration.
Fruit for lunch
No, this is not a ploy to keep you trim and summer-body happy. This is a refreshing way to fill up your tummy while stocking up on the necessary nutrients lost during the day. Try watermelon or plums - the sweetness will satisfy your cravings while replenishing the salts lost through excessive sun exposure.
Keep your feet free
Socks and sandals are a no-go in Malta. No matter how much you hate your toes; there’s no excuse for winter socks with summer sandals to appear on Maltese terrain. Apart from the obvious fashion faux pas, it’s way too hot to keep those little piggies cooped up, when they could be free to enjoy the summer breeze. There’s nothing quite like dipping your toes into the cool Mediterranean Sea or laying them flat on the cool shaded floor.
Splash pool fever
This may sound juvenile and totally American sitcom cliche but it actually works. Your next visit to the supermarket should feature a kiddie splash pool on the shopping list - it’s the perfect tool to cool down in an instant, and it’s also great for your pets. Once they get accustomed to the water; they’ll be in and out of the splash pool; cooling down while burning some energy in the process. Needless to say; it’s also great for your kids.
Freeze cucumber
Cucumber is quite fascinating. Full of electrolytes and packed with antioxidants; this 95 per cent water content salad garnish is great to cool down your tired eyes and sooth sun-soaked skin. Stick it in the freezer for a couple of hours to get the ultimate cooling effect!
Staying cool and keeping fresh isn’t hard if you know what to do to beat the heat. Take it easy while on the rock, life in Malta is meant to be slow paced!