12 tips to beat the heat in Minden

High summer is approaching not just in Minden Weser. Some people look forward to summer, while others struggle with it. Regardless of whether you enjoy this season or not, there are a few simple measures you can take to protect yourself and make life a little easier - not only in Minden in North Rhine-Westphalia, with its roughly 80,000 residents.

You may already know some of these tips, but others might still be new to you and could prove very helpful. Knowing the answers to dealing with high temperatures in Minden is all well and good, but only if you actually put them into practice.

Summertime - Our 12 Tips

1. Drink plenty of fluids

Drinking plenty of fluids is very important and actually quite logical: in the summer heat, especially when outdoors, you should drink a lot of water. When you sweat, you lose not only water but also minerals, which is why it's essential to replenish these through regular drinking.

Failing to do so can result in heatstroke, sunstroke, heat exhaustion or cramps. In summer, you should mainly drink water, though unsweetened fruit juices and herbal teas can also help. Fizzy drinks and other sugary beverages can actually worsen the feeling of dehydration.

2. Avoid the midday sun

The midday sun is strongest between 12pm and 3pm. During this time, the sun is at its most intense. Wear a hat and stay in the shade during these hours.

Bear this in mind when planning your day - it's better to go for walks in the morning or evening rather than at midday. Strenuous physical activities can easily be saved for cooler times of the day.

3. Wear suitable clothing

Your clothing should cover as much of your body as possible and be light-coloured, lightweight and loose-fitting. This way, you'll stay cool while being protected from harmful sun rays.

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

Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, should be avoided, as they'll only make you feel hotter since they don't absorb sweat. The more often you change clothes, the better - to deal with sweat. Summer arrives faster than expected - so stock up early!

4. Always ventilate your home

Open doors and windows when it's cooler outside than indoors. However, make sure no unwanted little creatures come in with the breeze.

You can also cool your home by hanging damp towels in front of windows or using an electric fan. It can get particularly warm quickly in loft flats or those facing south.

5. Switch off electrical devices

Televisions, computers and other electrical devices continually generate heat even in standby mode. As long as no one is using them, you should unplug them.

Try to charge your devices overnight instead.

6. Dry your washing outdoors ...

... if you have a larger balcony or a garden. Wet washing increases humidity indoors. This is perceived by the body as hotter than dry air. In warm weather, clothes dry faster outside anyway.

7. Don't overeat

Large meals make you sluggish, causing you to sweat even more. It's better to eat several small meals throughout the day. Also avoid fatty dishes, as these take longer to digest and could leave you feeling uncomfortable. Lighter meals tend to taste better to us in summer anyway, with exceptions generally proving the rule.

8. Don't forget sun protection

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

Even on cloudy days, you should always apply sunscreen with a high SPF as soon as you step outside. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or more often, especially if you're at the swimming pool.

9. Take breaks in air-conditioned rooms

On really hot days, it can help to take a break in an air-conditioned room now and then to cool down. This could be a library, a supermarket, or even your own home, if you have a cellar or air conditioning.

10. Be careful with alcohol

During hot weather, it's best to avoid alcohol as it has a dehydrating effect. If you do drink alcoholic beverages, make sure to order a glass of water alongside them.

The effects of alcohol can also make you less alert: after all, everyone has lost track of time at some point.

11. Think of your fellow Minden residents

Think of others as well as yourself.

Hot weather is even more dangerous for young children, elderly people or those with chronic illnesses. In daily life, watch out for nausea, vomiting, dizziness or headaches, as these are symptoms of heat exhaustion.

As soon as you notice these signs, help as much as you can!

12. In the car

Never leave your children or pets alone in parked cars: temperatures in parked cars can rise rapidly!

Year after year, this issue is still dramatically underestimated and downplayed, sometimes even simply forgotten. Inside a car, the temperature can reach life-threatening levels within just a few minutes, for both animals and humans.

More tips for the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region

These tips will help you enjoy summer while getting through it comfortably. We've put together a few more tips for you:

• It's a smart idea to buy a few portable misting sprays or fans, as you can use these again next year.

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

• When it's hot, it makes sense to prepare meals in advance, saving you the extra heat from cooking.

• Keeping blinds or curtains closed helps keep the heat out.

• A cold bath or shower before bed can help you sleep better.

• Apart from swimming, you should avoid doing sport in such hot weather.

With these tips, you should get through the summer heat in Minden just fine, especially at the Melittabad Minden.

An ice cream is, of course, also an excellent idea, especially if you can enjoy it sitting outside under a parasol.

Stay cool and have fun!