Beat The Heat
I used to get zapped by the heat. The combination of bright sun, high temperatures, and humidity was a recipe to quickly drain my energy, from which I seldom recovered by day’s end. All that has changed in recent years, with some simple habits.
Himalayan brine*
This has likely been the biggest game-changer for me; replacing electrolytes lost through sweat, with brine made from pink salt. When I add this to my water bottle while exercising, gardening, or adventuring outdoors, my energy and mental alertness are much more sustainable.
Instructions:
1. Place a couple tablespoons of Himalayan or Celtic salt in a jar
2. Fill with filtered water
3. Let them sit for 24 hours. If there is still a layer of visible salt in the bottom you now have brine. If not, add more salt and wait another 12-24hours.
4 Add 1-2 tsp of the brine to a bottle of water. Add a squeeze of citrus, if you don’t like the taste.
Remarkably, the more you need it the less you will taste the salt!
Coarse Himalayan and Celtic salts can be found in many supplement shops, and in Collingwood at Orchard Health Foods, Good Health Mart, and the Rock Shop (Appealing Environments).
A cosmetic benefit to having brine on-hand: dabbing it directly onto skin is brilliant for clearing pimples!
Electrolyte formulas are a convenient alternative to brine - an added benefit is knowing exactly how much sodium and potassium is in each serving (and is often tastier!).
When considering store-bought powders try to avoid artificial sweeteners & flavours. Some decent options include:
higher sodium for heavy sweating: Organika, Perfect Electrolytes, ReLyte, Skratch, Thrive
StoneTree clinic carries Electrolyte Synergy (DFH)- for daily use
Wearing a hat
Outdoor activities for me, such as reading and gardening, are now accompanied by a hat. With a brim large enough to shade my eyes from direct sunlight, it also protects my face from the majority of UV rays. This helps shade the head from direct heat, while also preventing eye fatigue and headaches. For hiking, I may forgo the hat and select cooler, shady trails. When sitting still, selecting a location in the shade is ideal.
Clothing
Natural fibres such as cotton and linen are going allow your body to regulate temperature better than synthetic (even if the product says ‘cooling fibre technology’). Dark colours will absorb and hold more heat, so elect for light coloured clothing when possible.
Window coverings
For indoor comfort, strategically closing windows & shutters can help greatly. When a hot day is forecast we are mindful to close east- & south-facing windows & shutters in the AM, then south- & west-facing in the PM.
Hydration
If you’ve been following my articles for a while you’ll know how I like to calculate average daily water intake needs; half your body weight (lb) in ounces (oz). In hot weather, this should be a minimum daily goal. Fun ways to create variety include consuming fruits & veggies that have a high water content, such as cucumber, watermelon, and grapes (try freezing the grapes first!), or infusing your water overnight with fruit or cucumber.
Herbal teas count as water and can be chilled for a cooling iced tea.
Cold soups, such as gazpacho, are a good consideration on hot days.
While cold alcoholic beverages can feel refreshing, do know alcohol has a diuretic effect on the body, which means it will not contribute to your hydration status and may actually worsen it.
By putting these habits into action my tolerance for the summer heat has greatly improved, which means I can enjoy this beautiful season so much more.
☀️Have fun out there!
*This may not be appropriate for all people; if you have hypertension or other issues with sodium, discuss with your qualified healthcare practitioner.
This article was originally published in the July’21 issue of Escarpment Magazine - updated here summer’26.
