Introduction

While you are most irritable and confused on the outside and people fail to understand, know that it is the heat inside your body that is at work, creating all the confusion for you on the outside. Summer months can be very gruesome for most people, as they dread the days of long, endless and harsh sun rays. Keep on reading to find out what you can do when you feel your body is giving you signs that its heat has risen beyond normal.

What is body heat?

The normal body temperature is around   98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat stress occurs when the body is not able to maintain homeostasis (a state of stability and balance within the body). This can lead to a rise in body temperature- a condition known as heat stress. Due to a variety of causes, like dehydration, lack of proper diet, long exposure to the sun outside or exhaustion, body heat can effectively rise, leaving you in a confused, fainting and dizzy state of mind.

What can cause body heat?

While there are many causes underlying, responsible for your body heat ranging from various chronic diseases to lifestyle habits, a few of them are listed down-

• Some Medications
• Hypothyroidism
• Multiple sclerosis
• Excessive Caffeine
• Exhaustion
• Over-exercise
• Dehydration
• Long hours of sun exposure

Ways to reduce body heat

Here are 8 ways you would want to try out to effectively reduce body heat before consulting with a physician, to lead a more comfortable life and enjoy summers to the best of your ability:

1. Water and cool liquids: Consumption of high amounts of water at regular intervals can keep your body hydrated and cool. Drinking moderately cool liquids, such as water, coconut water or lemonade, can help reduce body temperature by cooling the body internally. Regular intake of fluids will also prevent dehydration, a major cause of increased body heat.
   
2. Bathing and cold foot baths- Bathing can help you feel refreshed and cool. When it is not possible to bathe multiple times, just immersing your feet in water for some time can give you a comfortable and soothing feel.

3. Avoid spicy foods: Many spices and vegetables are heat inducing such as ginger, garlic, peppercorns, onions and mustard seeds. Spicy foods make the body heat up, as a result, may cause a lot of heat-related issues along with stomach ailments. Stick to cooling beverages or light foods during summers.
   
4. Avoid fried foods: Excessive Consumption of oils induces a lot of heat in the body, avoid eating a lot of fried foods. Stick to soli, wholesome foods like seasonal fruits, pulses, vegetables or protein that has not been deep-fried. Boiled, grilled or steamed varieties of recipes can be light on your tummy during summers.
   
5. Avoid caffeine: Caffeine and alcohol also create a lot of heat in the body and should be avoided, especially in summers. You can enjoy alcoholic beverages once in a while, but cutting down on caffeine and alcohol as a whole is also good for your overall health.
   
6. Salt: It is advised that people with excessive body heat must follow a low sodium diet to maintain body temperature. Sodium effectively creates high pressure in the body, which may aid in raising your body temperature and affect your system. On the other hand, you may require an adequate amount of salt and electrolytes if you notice a drop in blood pressure during the summer heat.
   
7. Red meats: Red meat food items like mutton, lamb or other kinds of meat increase body temperature. During summers, cut down the consumption of these meats and foods, especially if you are prone to getting lightheaded or weak during the sunny, sultry days.
   
8. Yoga: It is an effective method to reduce body heat. Cooling yoga asanas like the Marjari asana and Bitilasana relieve tension in the neck and open the energy centres, thus regulating body temperature. Breathing techniques like Sitali breathing – breathing through your mouth slowly with your tongue curled to feel the passing air and exhaling through your nose can help.
   
9. Consume more fruits and vegetables: Vegetables and herbs like spinach and mint, rich in vitamin C and other citrus fruits are good to reduce body heat. Cucumber, avocado, watermelon and curd should be a staple in your summer diet.

Thus, our body can reduce its temperature by sweating or releasing heat into surrounding cooler air or water. A person can also use a range of techniques to cool down like not spending too much time in the sun, limiting going outside without precautions like sunscreen and an umbrella and wearing breathable fabrics can all be beneficial. People should also take care to stay properly hydrated to avoid dehydration, which further increases body temperature.

Also Read: 10 Foods To Reduce Body Heat Naturally

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.