When we talk about the perfect holiday, most people picture long days on white, sandy beaches, frolicking in the ocean and relaxing under the baking sun. While this sounds like a heavenly holiday, the reality can often be much more sweaty and uncomfortable, especially if you’re plus size. It’s important to us that everybody is able to make the most of their holiday experiences, which is why we have spent time looking into ways to stay as cool as possible in even the hottest of holiday destinations. Here are our top five tips for keeping cool in a hot country.
5 Top Tips for Keeping Cool in a Hot Country
The Ice Towel will be your BFF
We had never heard of an ice towel before we started heading out on scorching holidays, but now that we know about it, we wouldn’t consider travelling anywhere without it. The Stay Cool Ice Towel is a small towel that lives in a handy container, with a clip on the handle which makes it perfect for travelling. The structure of the towel means that as soon as it gets wet, it gets very cold – simply hold it under cold water, wring it out and shake it for five seconds, and you have a freezing cold towel that you can place over your forehead if you’re feeling overheated. We don’t know how it works, and we don’t know why it works – but it has been a total game changer for us.
Keep yourself hydrated
It sounds so obvious to make sure that you stay hydrated, but sometimes it can be so hard to remember to reach for the water bottle when you’re having fun on holiday. As a bare minimum, we like to keep a large bottle of water with us wherever we go and try and take a sip whenever we take breaks. We also like to start our day with a rehydration pack in a glass of water for those extra electrolytes, and we take every opportunity to grab an ice cream or an ice lolly to cool us down. Plan your water intake carefully – if you’re not used to drinking so much water all at once, you’re definitely going to need to carve out time in your schedule for plenty of rest breaks!
Grab yourself a big floppy hat
Holiday shopping is the best, and while we’re all used to going out and grabbing sandals and lovely flowing dresses for the sunshine, we feel like hats can often get overlooked, despite their brims being perfect for blocking out the harsh sun. It doesn’t sound very nice having your hot head feeling sweaty under a baseball cap, so go for woven hats with nice wide, floppy brims – not only will this let air circulate and keep you cool, but you will definitely look and feel like a film star.
Cool your wrists down
Cooling your veins is not only a great tip for keeping cool on holiday, but it’s also one to bear in mind for anxiety if you get nervous when you travel. Running your wrists under some really cold water is great for cooling down the main vein that runs through this area, and many people have found that this cooling and calming is carried on throughout their bodies, leaving them feeling refreshed and ready to head back out into the sunshine.
Plan your time properly
It’s tempting to be out all day, every day when you’re on holiday – but there’s a reason people who live in hot countries tend to take breaks in the middle of the afternoon! The sun can be unbearable when it reaches its height during the day, so try and plan to make sure that you are not out and about at the hottest points, to eliminate the possibility of heat stroke. Plan excursions for mornings or early evenings, and save afternoons for lounging in the pool or having a well-earned nap.
Staying cool is so important – not only does it make you feel uncomfortable when you’re too hot, but it can be really damaging to your health. What other tips and tricks do you have to keep cool when travelling in hot countries?