As Europe faces yet another record-breaking heatwave, people, companies, and communities need to learn new ways of living and coping with the heat. Here are some of the top tips we’ve learned while working in Malaga.

Summer Heat Safety: Take it Seriously

For many companies and cultures, it may be difficult to regard heat safety as a serious health hazard. Some employers may want to maintain traditional working hours or company attire when it is not appropriate for the weather, or people may want to keep their ordinary mealtimes and daily schedules. An important aspect of heat safety is to take it seriously and make the necessary accommodation. Here are important ways to protect yourself:

  1. Adjust your schedule. Take a tip from siesta cultures and schedule your main activities early or late in the day. Avoid being highly active during the peak of the day, and allow yourself to rest during that time. 

  2. Lower your expectations. High temperatures are fatiguing, so do not expect to be as active or productive in hot weather. The act of cooling the body consumes energy and resources, and many people struggle to sleep when it’s hot, contributing to exhaustion. Reduce the number of tasks on your to-do list, and allow each task to take more time.

  3. Stay hydrated. Keeping the body cool consumes fluids and depletes the body. Remaining hydrated is the best way to stay safe in hot weather. 

  4. Dress appropriately. Wear loose, light-colored clothing in breathable, natural fabrics. 

Change Your Diet for Summer Weather

Diets that are well-adapted for hot climates rely on eating light meals and cool foods during the day. Eating uncooked foods also allows you to keep your home cool, without using the stove or oven. Fortunately, these meals can be delicious, taking advantage of cooling summer produce like tomatoes, paprika, cucumber, radishes, and berries. 

Our favorite gazpacho recipe requires nothing more than blending tomatoes, cucumber, Italian paprika, and onion with olive oil and vinegar before refrigerating. It’s cool, flavorful, versatile, and refreshing. 

Ceviche is a healthy, high-protein dish that is refreshing and delicious in hot weather. Add tortilla chips or bread to make it a more substantial meal. 

Iberian iced coffee is a fantastic way to enjoy your morning coffee while staying cool, and you can make it yourself at home. 

Little Tips to Beat the Heat

Here are a few more tips to get through a heat wave.

  • Seek out air conditioning. If you don’t have airco at home, take advantage of shopping centers, movie theaters, libraries, and other public spaces with temperature control. 

  • Freeze a water bottle. Fill a plastic water bottle (not completely; leave room for expansion) with water and freeze it. Place the frozen bottle against your forehead, feet, or armpits to quickly cool down.

  • Be attentive. Pay attention to signs of heat stress or fatigue in yourself, your loved ones, your coworkers, and your pets. 

  • Stay out of the sun. It is as simple as that. Where sun-loving tourists embrace walking in the scorching sun, the Spanish move from shade to shade and stay indoors as much as possible. They go out very early and/or very late.

Summer heat safety is increasingly a priority for our communities, governments, and workplaces. The team at grapefrute will continue to provide the exceptional results our clients love, while protecting the needs of our staff and ourselves.