How to stay cool as a cucumber in the summer heat

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You can stay cool as a cucumber by following very basic routines

The heat is upon us, and you don’t need to be told that there are humid days ahead. As a dancer you should to stay cool during the summer time as this is the time when most of the shows and events happen. This is the holiday season, too, as most event companies and corporate shows like to do various dance events to attract more crowd.

Summers can be most difficult for a dancer, as the heat can cause a lot of fatigue and problems, and excessive rehearsals in a hot and humid weather can be exhausting too. But, remember it is the creative spirit that drives you. So get rid of all your summer problems as soon as possible and try not to get bogged down with them. Summers are here and here’s how a dancer can protect oneself from the heat.
Sweating
Some dancers have a serious problem with sweat all year round, but most face it during the hot months. Best is to fight it, shower with an anti-bacterial soap and dry troublesome areas thoroughly. Apply antiperspirant regularly, wear loose clothes and stick to cool cotton and linen fabrics, lightweight denims, chiffon, georgette and voile or cotton and linen blends. Light fabric will also help you dance better. Wear lighter coloured clothes as they reflect sunlight. If you are practising outdoors wear a hat to help control the temperature of your head and body and remember to drink lots of water to help your cooling system run better.
Body odour
Sweat is virtually odourless, but bacteria use it as a breeding ground. Body odour is the smell of bacteria multiplying on the surface of your skin. Fight it by drying yourself after a shower and immediately apply anti-perspirant. Or try a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water — one teaspoon of peroxide to eight ounces of water. Wipe this on affected areas with a soft cloth.
Foot odour
Dancers are all about their foot movements and a foot odour is worst for a dancer. You can fight it by wearing open sandals, which will keep your feet breathing. Use an anti-perspirant for your feet — you can use the same one that you use for the underarms. Also, wash your feet well while bathing and dry thoroughly. Then dab some rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and apply it on the soles of your feet.
Dehydration
Dehydration means that your body doesn’t have enough water in it to keep it working right. Dry lips and tongue, headache, extreme fatigue, nausea and muscle cramps are telltale signs of dehydration.
Even mild dehydration — as little as a one to two per cent loss of your body weight — can sap your energy. That’s because excess sweat leads to loss of not just water, but salts too. Muscles need a good electrolyte-water balance, so even mild dehydration makes us feel drained of energy. A dancer can fight it by a simple way and that is by drinking as much water, iced herbal tea and juice as you can. Drink water before, during and after shows and rehearsals. Carry a bottle of water with you everywhere and drink lots of non-caffeinated fluids such as tender coconut water, fresh lime water, lassi, buttermilk, milkshakes, jal jeera and aam panna. Alcohol and beverages like tea, coffee and soft drinks cause you to lose fluid rather than retain it, so best is to avoid them.
Sunstroke
Heat stroke or sunstroke can occur when not enough sweat is produced to keep the body cool. A heat stroke can be managed, and heat exhaustion prevented, by seeking a cool, shaded place, drinking lots of fluids and sponging the body with water, if necessary. Cramps indicate a deficiency of electrolytes, so take in electrolytes through fruit or sports drinks. Replace lost sodium through ORS (a pinch of salt, a few drops of lemon juice and a spoon of sugar added to a glass of water) and do not massage the cramped muscle. Just support the limb.
Skin troubles solved
Summer can aggravate pigmentation. Home remedies are the best for it. Stir the juice of half a lemon into one cup of plain yoghurt. Keep in the fridge and apply like a cream before going to bed. You can even apply a thin coat of moisturiser over it after five minutes.
Sunburn can leave the skin red and painful. Best would be to avoid repeated sun exposure. But if that is not possible then apply cold compresses or immerse the area in cool water, apply moisturising lotion and leave the blisters alone — don’t break them.
As a dancer remember you cannot avoid the summer, but you can surely avoid the negative effects of it on you and your performance. So rock the heat!