2017 Aug 29
If you are in Lanka these days, you must be suffering from the boiling heat more than usual. Well as of yesterday, the raging sun has chosen to directly reign over SL till September 6th. So, it is safe to say that things won’t get cooler any time soon. Just so the frustration won’t drive you to pack everything up and leave our wonderful country (hey, you have to admit it’s pretty perfect most of the time), here are 6 ways to survive the Lankan heat wave.
1. Bite into that chilli!
Yes you read that right. The sweating that results from eating spicy food will remove heat from your body and cause it to rapidly cool down. Hence, as per true Lankan culture, chop some green chilli into your rice and curry, order that devilled chicken pizza and load up on the chilli paste! But please don’t go overboard with this! As annoying as the heat is, trust me gastritis and dehydration is much worse. So compliment that spicy meal with a big glass of water!
2. Let’s borrow air conditioners!
For those of you not blessed enough to have an AC at home, don’t sweat it! If the fan just isn’t getting the job done, remember your car has a perfectly good AC as well. But if you don’t own a car thus leading your Thaththa to scream; “Don’t waste the battery in my car child!”, then you need to get a bit creative. Consider hiding out in the nearest mall or supermarket. For all you workaholics out there, stay longer at office and enjoy some free AC. But remember to make sure your partner knows you’re only staying out late to bear the heat and not because you’re cheating with the secretory.
3. Long shower
If you aren’t fortunate enough to have an indoor pool, then your only sanctuary will be in the bathroom. Get ready to lie down under your tub 3-4 times a day. In fact, throw some bath salts and flower petals in there as well. You need to get comfortable in here because your bathroom is where you will be spending most of your time till the heat wave passes. Don’t worry about how much this is going to cost you. Remember those extra hours you have been spending at work to avoid the heat? Even if doing so messed up your relationship, at least it will help pay for your water bill!
4. Hold the 50 Shades of Grey moments
Every parent is going to be happy for this one. No matter how much you love your partner, these days it’s best not to spend a lot of time hugging and um.. *clear throat* doing other things. I mean do you really want to be sharing intimate moments with your significant other, smelly and drenched in sweat? So unless you are looking to test if your relationship can go the distance, you lovebugs need to reduce “the cuddles” and maybe just enjoy an ice cream together.
5. Take a break from cooking
Tired of cooking for your family? Well here is your excuse! Why create unnecessary heat in the house using stoves and ovens? This is the time for spicy take-outs. Or better yet, take your family for a meal out so you can benefit from free AC as well. Parents, if you have teenagers who refuse to be seen with you anymore (it’s just a phase don’t worry), use the cooling environment and good food as a bribe for hanging out with you. If you think about it, the heat is really working in your favour! Your children are cuddling with their partners less and spending more time with you.
6. Sorry, no alcohol
When you go through days like this, you are probably tempted to drink right? Just grab an ice cold beer and make all your troubles go away? Wrong! Alcholol is useless (I could just end the sentence here) when it comes to battling the heat as it makes you more dehydrated. So ladies, do not let your husbands use the heat as an excuse to start drinking again. “Darling can you get me a beer please?” “you mean a glass of water right?” “yes dear…”
Here’s hoping these tips will make your life more bearable. If none of this works, you can only look to the sky and wish for rain (You’ll probably get sun burnt trying this though). Hang in there it is just for a week or so! After all, you got through the April heat wave. You’ll get through this one as well.
