Humid heat and hot sticky nights aren’t fun for anyone. Here’s how you and your pets can keep cool in hot weather
With high humidity at night, it’s been hard to get a good night’s sleep. Some parts of the country have been enjoying some blissful rays too. But how do we keep cool, stay safe, and ensure our pets are cared for? Here are some tips to keep in mind when the temperature rises or if you’re travelling to a very hot country on your holidays.
Sleep
It can be hard to cool down at night, especially when the weather is humid. Keeping your bedroom window open in the afternoon can help keep the room cool. Pull the blinds down to keep the sun out, too. Cotton bed sheets are best, since polyester blends can hold onto the heat. Invest in some comfy, airy PJs and you’ll be sleeping soundly in no time.
Precautions
As tempting as it might be to take your cocktails into the garden, try not to overdo it. Excess alcohol consumption can dehydrate you, which the sun is already working hard to do! Drink plenty of water, and make sure you recognise the signs of dehydration. Much like a Spanish siesta, it’s recommended you stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, when it’s hottest. Invest in a wide-brimmed hat, apply plenty of suncream, and keep an eye out for heatstroke.
Pets
We all know to keep dogs out of hot cars, but how else do we ensure our four-legged friends are safe? Dogs Trust have plenty of top tips, including testing the ground before walks, and adding ice to their water. Like humans, they should avoid being outside in the hottest part of the day.
Ice, ice baby
Iced water, iced tea, iced lattes, get your iced beverage fix to stay cool and calm. If you’re not using a reusable water bottle, freeze a plastic one and bring it with you for the day.
While iced water is something you crave in the heat, do be careful if you’ve just exerted yourself. Some studies suggest that drinking ice cold water after a workout can shock your organs a little, and make your body work harder to warm it up. Make sure you hydrate after exercise, but maybe leave the ice.
If an iced latte is your coffee of choice, Nespresso’s Barista Creations for Ice are back! Follow the recipe below for some exotic flavours:
Freddo Intenso Tiki Sparkle for Original
1. Place 1 ice cube (30 g) into a shaker. Extract 40 ml of Barista Creations Freddo Intenso espresso over the ice. Stir and then seal before shaking vigorously.
2. Place 4 ice cubes (30 g each) into your View recipe glass. Add 10ml of MONIN Tiki Syrup and squeeze in the juice of 1 fresh lime slice. Slap 4-5 basil leaves in your hand and add them to the glass. Pour in 90 ml of ginger beer soda or lemon soda.
3. Pour in the cold coffee.
4. Garnish with fresh ginger slices, lime peel, and a basil leaf
Orange Saffron Ice Leggero Latte for Vertuo
1. Place 4 ice cubes (30 g each) into your Vertuo Coffee Mug
2. Add 10 ml saffron syrup, a fresh orange peel, and 120 ml of milk 1.5% fat
3. Extract 80 ml of Barista Creations Ice Leggero into the Mug
4. Garnish with a fresh orange peel
Most importantly, enjoy the weather while it lasts! Irish people are well aware that it could be raining again before we know it. So soak up the sun, and stay safe.
