We encourage you to:
• Pay attention to weather reports – watch your local news channel for an update nightly to ensure hot weather doesn’t catch you off-guard. Or, the Bureau of Meteorology also offers a great app with real-time data (click here for download info)
• Review medications with your doctor – there are a range of medications that can cause side effects including dehydration. If you haven’t reviewed this for a while, we encourage you to make a time to catch your doctor to discuss.
• Reduce caffeine and alcohol – during the hot weather, a nice cool drink can be appealing but with caffeine and alcohol both diuretics, it’s a good idea to be mindful of how much you are having on a hot day. Be sure to keep your water intake up to avoid dehydration.
• Take note of the colour of your urine – as appealing as it is to look at your own urine, it can be a key indicator of your hydration status! If your urine is too dark, this is a sign of dehydration and you should immediately drink water.
• Stay cool – use whatever means you have at your disposal to keep cool. Air conditioners, fans and even a good old-fashioned flannel in the freezer can all be helpful at reducing core body temp on hot days.
If you require further advice on how to stay cool in summer, please visit the Department of Health website or speak with your GP.