How to keep cool this summer? Live like a Provençal

That's what we love about Provence: cool, thick-walled houses with shutters that stay closed from the early hours of the morning. The inhabitants of the Riviera (whether French or Italian) do the same with their shutters. Remember, too, to close curtains, blinds or shutters during the day to keep the heat out.

At the end of the day, open the windows again and let the air circulate through the house. This is also the right time to water, if you have a garden or balcony. Never water at the beginning or middle of the day, so that the plants can better absorb the water (otherwise they dry out too quickly).

Summer: remember to refresh your body regularly

Not everyone lives by the sea, nor does everyone have a swimming pool, but everyone has a shower... Take regular cool or even lukewarm showers to lower your body temperature. Avoid ice-cold showers - they're good for your health, but not when it's too hot, as the contrast is too strong. You can also use wet towels to cool down: place them on the back of your neck, forehead, neck and wrists.

Never take cold showers in the evening, before going to bed, as the stress they induce causes you to secrete cortisol (the stress hormone), which will delay your sleep.

Try to do without stationary air conditioners, which are not environmentally friendly because they cool you down by heating up the outside air. A recent statistic[1] indicates that if everyone in Paris had an air conditioner, the city's air could warm up by two or three degrees.

Don't skimp on fans - they're now quiet and inexpensive. Some can be plugged into your computer's USB socket to cool you down while you work. You can also place a bottle of frozen water in front of the fan: you'll receive fresh air as a bonus.

Cool down in summer by learning how to dress

Wear appropriate clothing: opt for loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. They allow air to circulate and keep you cooler. Djellabas and saris are good examples.

Choose natural materials and avoid synthetics: linen, cotton and silk are your best allies for keeping out the heat. Choose flowing fabrics too.

Bamboo fiber is a natural fiber that is biodegradable, antibacterial, odor-resistant and breathable. It's undoubtedly the best natural fiber in terms of summer comfort, just ahead of cotton. If you can't find clothing made from pure bamboo fiber, choose a cotton/bamboo fiber blend.

For your bedroom: get rid of your bulky comforter and opt for sheets made from natural materials, which allow better air circulation and provide freshness. More specifically, opt for 100% cotton or linen sheets, which are better at wicking away moisture, and therefore perspiration. There are also cooling sheets to keep your bed cool. Choose a fabric that is both breathable and absorbent.

As soon as you go out, wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and neck from the sun. Don't forget that many of us, as we age and receive too much sun on our face, nose and forehead, develop small cancers that can sometimes be dangerous.

Keep cool in summer: don't hesitate to use a misting device

In 2003, the unprepared heatwave claimed 70,000 lives worldwide and 15,000 in France. Since that first heatwave (which has now largely passed), retirement homes and care centers have been equipped with misters that disperse fine droplets.

If you have to work outdoors or stand guard at a counter, don't hesitate to use a mister.

Rather than buying an aerosol can that will soon run out, try to find this little refillable fan-mister[2] that costs less than €5.

Go to the cinema, the museum, the library, a show or even a shopping mall (where you'll also find games and activities for your grandchildren). (All these places are air-conditioned to 23°. Don't forget to take a piece of clothing to cover your chest or arms, if necessary, to keep out the cold.

Keeping cool in summer: Avoid going out during the hottest hours of the day

• Limit your physical activity and avoid going out during the hottest part of the day, generally between 11am and 4pm.
• If you must go out, try to stay in the shade as much as possible[3].
• Don't fall victim to the numerous advertisements for sun creams and sunscreens, all of which contain synthetic products such as parabens whose effects on the body are poorly understood. They are an ecological disaster for flora and fauna, and some countries have even banned them[4]: use them in moderation.
• Avoid those containing an "octocrylene[5]" filter that is potentially carcinogenic with endocrine-disrupting effects (and soon to be banned by the authorities).
• If you go surfing or windsurfing, wear UV-resistant T-shirts, which are also very useful for children.

Use natural alternatives to sunscreens

According to naturopath Pascale Baeza[6], Karanja oil is nourishing and anti-aging, and widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. Thanks to its high flavonoid content, it is able to absorb some of the UV rays responsible for sunburn and skin aging. Rich in omega-6, it reinforces the skin's hydrolipidic film and helps maintain its elasticity.

Macadamia oil is nourishingsoftening, moisturizing and soothing. It contains a high proportion (20%) of palmitoleic acid, which protects cellular lipids from oxidation. 

Like Jojoba oilIt is highly penetrating (down to the dermis), does not leave a greasy film on the skin, and has a high affinity with human sebum.

Sesame oil preserves the skin from external aggression and UV rays with its antioxidant power (vitamin E), like shea butter which is water-resistant.

Argan oil has protective effects, neutralizing free radicals and restoring the skin's hydrolipidic film.

Roucou powder or urucumnative to tropical America, was used by "red skins" for its protective properties against the effects of the sun. It prepares the skin and is rich in provitamin A (100 times more than carrots), vitamin E and minerals such as le zinc, magnesiumthe selenium and copper, which helps the body fight oxidative stress.

Be aware of your own and others' reactions to heat

Keep an eye on vulnerable people: the elderly, children, those suffering from chronic illnesses. Check their health regularly and keep them well hydrated and cool. Avoid sustained, prolonged exertion in direct sunlight and high temperatures. Watch out for signs of heatstroke, which can be gradual and very insidious.

Beware:

• Loss of alertness with disorientation (which may be very slight at first), or even fainting, which may leave neurological sequelae[7];
• Headaches;
• Nausea and dizziness;
• Rapid pulse with shallow breathing;
• Body pallor;
• Chills;
• Inextinguishable thirsts.

If you notice this type of discomfort in a loved one, lay them down in a cool place and cool them with cold compresses. Don't hesitate to call emergency services (15 or 911) if the situation rapidly worsens.

Before doing so, don't hesitate to gently immerse the person in cold water (river, bathtub) and bear in mind that heatstroke can leave behind cerebral after-effects, so body temperature must be brought down quickly.

Always take heatwaves and hot spells seriously. Follow these tips and adapt your activities accordingly to stay safe and healthy during these periods.

Sources :

[1] https://www.apc-paris.com/actualite/canicules-a-paris-solutions-sobres-pour-se-passer-climatisation-chez-soi

[2] https://www.lefigaro.fr/voyages/conseils/le-saviez-vous-ces-destinations-ont-banni-certaines-cremes-solaires-sur-les-plages-20230520

[3] Interdits dans les Îles Vierges des États-Unis et dans la république des îles Marshall, en raison de ses effets néfastes sur l’environnement,

[4] https://sensanatura.fr/pascale-baeza-naturopathe-et-micronutritionniste/

[5] https://sante.lefigaro.fr/sante/symptome/coup-chaleur/quelle-evolution