Anuoluwapo Adebayo: @anu_chayil Talks about Tips on How to Survive the Heat

Who else is afraid the heat in Nigeria will soon kill them? I constantly feel like I am melting away and it doesn’t help that my skin is breaking out as well. It is difficult to wear makeup or just feel flawless with sweat running down your face. I decided to keep calm and work with these tips that provide some relief and help me through my days. These are a few tips for both men and women.

• Wear clothes made of light fabrics; you do not even need to be advised, I am sure once you open your wardrobe your hand will move to the items that you know won’t make the heat worse. Choose natural fabrics like cotton, linen that help air flow and absorb your sweat better. Ignore fabrics like polyester, wool, denim and leather as they are not warm weather friendly. Some may oppose the denim option but if you are like me, wearing Jeans just feels like punishment in this weather. Also try not to wear colours that are too bright in order to hide awkward sweat marks either in your armpits or your back.
• Consider other parts of your outfit; wear breathable shoes or remove your shoes often during the day especially if you sweat on your feet. Choose functionality and comfort over style.
• Stay Hydrated; Drink a lot of water because your life actually does depend on it. Do not wait till you are thirsty to drink water; staying hydrated keeps you from getting dizzy or tired. Water keeps your temperature cool and consequently has a positive effect on your skin. If you can, try to reduce your alcohol, caffeine and soda intake as these cause dehydration.
• Eat fresh vegetables and water based fruits like watermelon and cucumbers.
• Keep your hair short or make easy protective styles like weaving, keeping your hair in a ponytail or your braids in a high bun. Clean your scalp as often as you can too if you can’t wash your natural hair because your scalp will produce excess sweat and the scent will not be pleasant for long.
• Reduce the amount of makeup you wear; if you often do a full face beat, I advice you focus more on skin care this period than on layering on the foundation. Wear minimal products but if you are attending an event and have to go all out, make sure your skin is hydrated and wear a good primer to prevent your makeup from running down your face.
• Bath often; I know this is not possible if you do not work within the confines of your home so make sure you bath morning and night. Taking a cold bath cleanses and refreshes you.
• Do not go easy on the anti-perspirant; no matter how strong your cleanliness game is, this weather is bound to make you sweat excessively and by the end of the day you may not smell so attractive. Unless you sit in an air conditioned space all day so sweating is minimal, I advice you carry about a small spray to refresh.
• Have wet wipes in your bag or car as they come in really handy.
• As much as you can, try to limit your exposure to direct sunlight. If you work outdoors, you can take breaks or carry out your responsibilities under a shade.

Keep your home and work space ventilated and keep air circulating freely. Keeping cool helps you maintain a good mood, as heat usually intensifies exhaustion and feelings of stress.