What to Do About the Summer Heat in Göttingen?

It's not only in Göttingen an der Grone that midsummer is on its way. There are two types of people: those who look forward to it and those who struggle with the summer. But whatever your feelings about this season, there are a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself, or at least make life a bit easier – not only in Göttingen in Niedersachsen, with its nearly 120,000 residents.

You'll probably already know several of these tips, while others may be new and helpful. Knowing about the dangers of high summer temperatures in Göttingen and knowing the solutions are two different things.

Our 12 tips for the hot summer:

1. Drink plenty of fluids

Drinking plenty is really just common sense: in the summer heat, especially in the sun, you should drink lots of water. Drinking plenty is essential, as it replenishes the minerals and water your body loses through sweating.

Heat exhaustion or cramps can result from not doing so. Herbal teas and unsweetened fruit juices can help stabilise your fluid balance, but water is still best in summer. Fizzy drinks and other sugary beverages can actually make you feel more dehydrated, so they're not recommended in summer.

2. Avoid the midday sun

As the sun is strongest around midday, it's best to avoid it between 12pm and 3pm. Stay in the shade during this time if possible, or wear a hat.

Keep this in mind when planning your day – go for walks in the morning or evening rather than at midday. It's best to save strenuous physical activities for a time when temperatures have dropped a little.

3. Clothing

Your clothes should cover as much of your body as possible and be light-coloured, loose and lightweight. This way, you're protected from harmful sun rays while staying cool.

Natural fabrics such as silk, cotton or linen are best. These materials are breathable and absorb sweat well.

Avoid synthetic fibres such as polyester, as these fabrics don't absorb sweat, which makes you feel even hotter. You should change your clothes more often because of sweating. The heat can build up faster than you'd think – so make sure you're prepared in good time!

4. Ventilate your house or flat

When it's cooler outside, open the windows and doors. Just make sure you don't let any insects in.

You can cool your rooms using damp towels hung in front of windows or a fan. It gets especially warm in loft flats or flats facing south.

5. Switch off electrical devices

TVs, computers and other electrical devices generate heat continuously, even in standby mode. If no one's using them, you should switch them off.

You should also avoid charging electronic devices on warm days – this can easily be left until night-time.

6. Dry your washing outdoors ...

... if you have a decent-sized balcony or a garden. Damp washing increases the humidity in your rooms, which your body perceives as warmer than dry air. Outdoors, clothes dry faster anyway in hot weather.

7. Don't eat too much

A big meal can make you feel sluggish and cause you to sweat even more. It's therefore better to eat smaller meals more often throughout the day. Also avoid fatty dishes, as these take longer to digest and may leave you feeling uncomfortable. Handily, we tend to fancy lighter food more in summer anyway – exceptions prove the rule.

8. Don't forget sun protection

Your skin is damaged by UV rays, which leads to premature skin ageing and increases the risk of skin cancer. Don't forget – your skin never does!

Always apply sunscreen with a high SPF before heading outside, even on cloudy days. It's best to reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you're at the outdoor pool.

9. Cool breaks in Göttingen

It helps to take a break in a cooler room now and then to cool down on a really warm day. This could be the supermarket, the library, or even your own home, if you've got a cellar or air conditioning.

10. Watch out – alcohol

During summer, you should try to avoid alcohol, as it has a dehydrating effect. For every alcoholic drink, you should have at least one glass of water.

The effects of alcohol can also make you more careless: everyone's lost track of time at some point because of it.

11. Fellow Göttingen residents

Don't just think of yourself, but of others too.

Warm weather is particularly dangerous for young children, older people, or those with chronic illnesses. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include nausea, vomiting, dizziness or headaches.

If you notice these signs, help however you can!

12. In cars

Never leave your pets or children in parked cars: even on mild days, temperatures inside parked cars can rise quickly!

This issue is still dramatically played down and underestimated, and sometimes simply forgotten. For people and animals alike, it's life-threatening to be stuck in a closed vehicle for too long on very warm days, as the temperature can rise to very high levels in a short space of time.

Even more tips for the Südniedersachsen region

These are the most important pieces of information to help you enjoy summer while staying safe. Here are a few more tips:

• Invest in a few portable misting fans or fans – it's a worthwhile expense, as you can reuse the devices next summer.

• Remove sources of heat and make sure your home is well ventilated.

• Prepare cold meals or snacks in advance so you don't have to use the stove when it's too hot.

• Keep curtains or blinds closed to keep the heat out.

• Take a cold bath or shower before bed so you can sleep better.

• Avoid exercising in warm weather, however tempting it might be – except for swimming, of course.

If you bear these tips in mind, you should be able to enjoy the heat in Göttingen without too much discomfort, for example at the Badeparadies Eiswiese .

An ice cream is, of course, also a very good idea, especially if you can sit outside in the shade while enjoying it.

Stay cool and have fun!