How to keep cool? Avoid sunstroke!

Please, make sure you that read the following tips on how to keep cool especially if you are travelling with children.

The Spanish climate is mild all year round. However, in the summer when the temperatures rise the heat can be almost unbearable and you can suffer from sunstroke.

Here’s are some suggestions of what you should do during the long and hot Spanish summers.

Prepare yourself and apply some practical tricks

• Don’t forget to put sunscreen on and wear a hat (it’s better if it covers your neck).
• Wear natural fabrics (eg. cotton, linen or silk) and light colors that don’t absorb the sun’s rays.
• Keep your feet fresh and free wearing sandals or thongs.
• Place a frozen bottle of water (remember, no soft drinks) on your neck to cool yourself.
• Try to be on the street in the early morning and late in the afternoon. Stay indoors (your accommodation will be fine) around lunch time.
• Enjoy a typical Spanish siesta. I bet you can improve our ancestral sleeping method.
• Always rest in the shadow.
• Look for a fountain and literally soak yourself in it!
• Put some ice in your hat or cap and wear it again.

Drink and eat!

• Drink lots and lots of water! Spaniards will be just as thirsty as you so don’t worry. You’ll find tons of places, stalls and shops to buy a bottle of water.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine as they act as a diuretic. You’ll need to use the bathroom more ofter which provokes further dehydration.
• So… no soft drinks, coffee or spirits.
• Eat loads of fruit (anything will do but it will be easier to find melon and watermelon as it is the season).
• Or you can always try with some ice-cream. You can find some  excellent ice cream shops in Spain.

Keep in mind that at mid-day temperatures can go up to 40ºC (104ºF) or even reach 45ºC (113ºF) during a particularly hot summer. It gets very hot!

So remember how to keep cool… Follow the steps I mention above, use some common sense and you’ll be fine.