Heatwave tips from neuropsycholgist Dr Rachel Taylor
When the mercury soars, take these precautions for optimum body and brain health
1) slow down - the body and brain need to rest more and do less when the heat rises
2) make sure you are hydrated and pop some cucumber/coconut/salt in your water so that you increase electrolytes in your body - this helps you keep well
3) body brush in an upward motion in the shower - this helps get toxins moving through the lymphatic system that if you are not drinking enough can leave you feeling unwell
4) eat foods that are high water content (melon, ham, grapes etc) - this will help keep you hydrated
5) at night try to get your temperature cooler to signify to your hypothalamus that is is time to sleep - if your temperature is too high your brain thinks it is not time to produce melatonin so you will be awake for longer
6) If your wee is too yellow and you are not needing one every hour you are not drinking enough
7) wear light/loose clothes and layer up to trap cool air in them
8) get your most important work done in the morning before it gets too hot as the brain does not like having to think hard in hot weather
9) meditate and body scan to cool your brain down - when we engage our default mode network the electrical impulses are less so the brain cools down
10) take advantage of sunlight by having at least ten minutes of natural full spectrum light without sunglasses or sun cream - obviously dont lie out like a lizard but full spectrum light is both preventative and curative medicine!