How to Survive the Heat and Humidity of the South

Going from a cool air-conditioned climate to a warm one can be hard on your body when you live or are visiting in the South. But with proper precautions, you can avoid becoming a victim of dehydration and heatstroke.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Hydrate! Drink water throughout the day, especially if you're exercising and outside all day. While small bottles of water are handy, the larger one-gallon jugs that can be purchased at most grocery stores will give you the most bang for your buck. After all, why spend $1.69 on a 16 ounce bottle of water when you can buy an entire gallon for under a dollar?
2. Remember that when you sweat, your body is not only losing water, but nutrients and salts as well. So keep eating during the day and eat well-balanced meals. Vitamin water and sports drinks will also help you get some of those "extras" back.
3. Take breaks from the sun often. Find some shade, maybe go inside for a bit...but remember to keep drinking water!
4. Wear sun protection. Whether it's a hat or sunscreen, protect yourself. Dehydration is not the only danger of warm climates. Sunburns and skin cancer can also provide problems later on.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid caffeine, as it speeds up the dehydration process. Just because it's a liquid doesn't mean you should drink it.