What to Do About the Summer Heat in Jena?

High summer is on its way, not just in Jena an der Saale. Lots of people struggle with the heat, but just as many look forward to it. Whether you love this time of year or not, there are a few simple measures you can take to protect yourself, or at least make life a bit easier – not just in Jena in Thüringen, with its roughly 110 thousand inhabitants.

Some of these tips are well known, others might be new and helpful. Knowing the answers to coping with high temperatures in Jena is all well and good, but it's no use if you don't actually put them into practice.

Our 12 tips for the hot summer:

1. Drink plenty of fluids

Drinking enough is really just common sense: during summer, especially in the sun, you should drink plenty of water. When you sweat, you lose not just water but also minerals, which is why it's essential to top these up by drinking regularly.

Cramps or heat exhaustion can result from not doing so. Water is best, quite literally, but unsweetened fruit juices and herbal teas also help maintain your body's water levels. Sugary drinks like lemonade can actually increase the feeling of dehydration, so they're not recommended in summer.

2. Avoid the midday sun

The midday sun is strongest between 12pm and 3pm. During this time, wear a hat or stay in the shade.

It's important to plan your day well, so go for walks in the evening or morning instead of during the hot midday hours. Physically demanding tasks can certainly be saved for cooler times of day.

3. Clothing

Your clothes should cover as much of your body as possible and be loose, light and pale in colour. This way you're protected from harmful UV rays while staying cool at the same time.

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

Avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester, as they don't absorb sweat and can make you feel even hotter. The more changes of clothes you have, the better – because of the sweat. The heat arrives faster than you'd think, so prepare early!

4. Air out your flat/house

Open the windows and doors, but only when it's cooler outside than in. That said, try not to let any little creatures in with the breeze.

You can cool your rooms with damp towels hung in front of the windows or with a fan. It gets particularly hot in south-facing flats or in top-floor flats under the roof.

5. Switch off electrical appliances

TVs, computers and other devices still generate heat even in standby mode. Always switch these off completely when they're not actually needed.

Try to charge your devices overnight instead.

6. Dry your washing outdoors ...

... in a garden or on a large balcony. Damp washing indoors increases the humidity in your rooms. This is perceived by the body as warmer than dry air. Washing also dries faster outside in warm temperatures anyway.

7. Don't eat too much

A large meal makes you sluggish and can make you sweat even more. It's better to spread several small meals throughout the day. Fatty foods take longer to digest, which can leave you feeling uncomfortable. Light meals tend to taste better in summer anyway, as the exceptions usually prove.

8. Don't forget sun protection

UV rays increase your risk of skin cancer and cause irreparable damage to your skin. Premature skin ageing – pigmentation and wrinkles – are also consequences of UV exposure. Don't forget: your skin never forgets!

Don't forget sunscreen with a high SPF whenever you go outside, no matter how cloudy it looks. Especially at the swimming pool, you should reapply sunscreen at least every two hours.

9. Take regular breaks in air-conditioned rooms

To cool down, it helps to take a break from time to time in a cooler room on really hot days. This could be your own home, provided it has air conditioning or a cellar, or equally the supermarket or the library.

10. Be careful with alcohol

During hot weather, you should avoid alcohol, as it has a dehydrating effect. If you do have alcoholic drinks, make sure you always order a glass of water alongside them.

What's more, alcohol makes you less careful: everyone has lost track of time this way at some point.

11. Your fellow Jena residents

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

Warm weather is particularly dangerous for people with chronic illnesses, small children or the elderly. Signs of heat exhaustion include headaches, nausea, vomiting or dizziness.

If you notice these signs, please help where you can!

12. In cars

Never leave children or pets alone in parked cars: the temperature inside a parked car can rise by the minute, even on mild days!

Year after year, this issue is still dramatically downplayed and underestimated, sometimes even simply forgotten. On very hot days, the temperature inside a car can reach life-threatening levels within a very short time – for animals and humans alike!

A few tips for the Erfurt-Weimar-Jena region

If you want to enjoy summer and get through it well, read and follow these tips. A few more pieces of information follow here:

• Buying portable misting fans or ventilators is a sensible investment, as you can use them again next summer.

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

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

• To keep the heat out, keep your curtains or blinds closed during the day.

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

• Apart from going to the swimming pool, you shouldn't do any sport in summer.

If you bear these tips in mind, you should be able to enjoy Jena's summer heat without too much discomfort, for example at the GalaxSea Freizeitbad in Jena.

An ice cream is, of course, also a wonderful idea, especially if you can sit outside under a parasol while enjoying it.

Stay cool and have fun!