Don’t Make These 5 Mistakes When Traveling in Extreme Heat

Many of the places on traveler’s bucket lists have hot, tropical beaches. These may offer you many opportunities to soak up the sun, but should you worry about traveling to a country with a heat index much higher than where you live?

Surviving a trip in extreme heat relies as much on your awareness as your luggage preparation. It’s important to learn what not to do as much as what you can do.

Take note of these easily avoidable mistakes and prepare to enjoy your sunny holiday without returning dehydrated or sunburnt.

Brushing off the Risks of Heat Stroke

Heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses cause the deaths of over 1,200 U.S. citizens every year. Signs of heat stroke include feeling dizzy, turning red but failing to sweat, and having a faster-than-normal heartbeat.

Keep an eye on those around you, especially anyone with a higher risk of overheating, and seek out cooler locations if you suspect anyone in your group looks like they might be overheating. The most important action you can take involves drinking water every hour or so at least.

Thinking You’re Safe When the Sun Goes Down

While the risk of sunburn disappears with the setting of the sun, the risk of overheating remains a very real problem. The combination of a high temperature and high humidity leaves your body unable to recover from the heat of the day and even causes the risk of dehydration or heat stroke while you sleep.

Make sure you still drink plenty of water while walking around at night. I would highly recommend also utilizing a portable fan to regulate your body temperature.

Not Considering the Effects of Humidity

Your body does what it can to regulate your temperature under extreme heat, but it takes a toll over time. Long-term exposure to extreme humid heat (90 degrees and above for two or three days) causes significant damage, resulting in a high risk of heat stroke and even death.

Look for any opportunity to get under shade, stand under a fan, or use a spot with air conditioning. Staying in a cooler area for an hour or so allows your body to rest and prepare for the next trek.

Packing One Shirt per Day

As someone who lives in countries like China and the Philippines, I guarantee you want at least two or three shirts for each day you plan to travel. When in a humid environment, your shirt will soak with sweat in a matter of minutes.

On the one hand, a sweaty shirt causes discomfort. That isn’t the main issue here. The wet shirt causes friction on your armpits as you move, leading to rashes. It also tends to block your pores from the dried sweat, significantly reducing your body’s ability to regulate your temperature.

Drinking Alcohol for Hydration

Everyone’s allowed a cheeky drink or two while on holiday. Many beers and cocktails taste refreshing and make us feel hydrated. However, alcohol consumption causes dehydration. You may feel better after finishing the drink, but your body must work even harder to keep you free of heat stroke.

Don’t worry, and enjoy your drinks. Just make sure you drink plenty of water as well. A drink full of electrolytes helps a ton as well!