Beating the Heat: Are You Helping or Making It Worse?

 Joy Olu-Ajayi 

Image Credit: Pinterest 

To be very honest, this heat is a lot. We wake up already tired, have our bath and by the time we get to our rooms, beads of sweat have started to form on our faces, we step outside, and immediately start sweating, and even at night, sleep does not come easy and even when it does, it gets disrupted because of the intense heat. Our rooms feel like ovens and we even sleep on the floor and feel tempted to open our doors to allow for fresh air, lecture halls are also very uncomfortable when the power supply is interrupted, and just moving around campus can feel exhausting and so draining. 

We are all trying to cope in our own ways. Some of us have umbrellas in hand, some rely on small portable fans, and some just endure it the best way we can. But if we look closely, some of our “coping habits” are actually making things worse for ourselves and for the people around us.

First is our hygiene habits. With all this sweating, staying clean should be non-negotiable at all. Yet some of us skip baths, wear the same clothes multiple times, or ignore deodorants altogether. The result of this is body odour that makes shared spaces like lecture halls and hostels uncomfortable for everyone. A simple bath and a bit of deodorant can go a long way in keeping ourselves and others comfortable during these hot days.

Another big issue is not drinking enough water. We can talk about this all day without putting an end to this conversation and that is to show how important it is to take water. During this period, we are constantly losing water through sweat, yet many of us go hours without properly hydrating. Some of us think one small bottle or one sachet of water is enough for the entire day. However, it is important to note that dehydration can lead to headaches, dizziness, and constant fatigue and these things make it harder to get through classes, concentrate or even study at night.

And then there is our reliance on sugary or carbonated drinks. Soft drinks feel refreshing for a few minutes, but they do not hydrate us the way water does. After a while, we end up thirstier than before, and our bodies are still struggling to stay cool. Water is the real solution, even if soda feels like a quick fix. So when you take carbonated drinks, remember to stay hydrated by taking water even if it is mixed with honey. Do not replace water with carbonated drinks because they do not have the same value. 

We also tend to overdo extremely cold things.

Ice-cold drinks, frozen treats, or drinks straight from the freezer are everywhere. They may feel good at first, but too much can affect the throat or make us feel uncomfortable later. Moderation is key to all of this because our bodies adjust better if we do not shock them constantly and regularly with extremely cold things. 

Then there is our habit of staying indoors in poorly ventilated rooms. Avoiding the sun is understandable, but some of us stay trapped in rooms with little airflow. The air inside is often hotter and more humid than outside, which makes us sweat even more. A room with proper ventilation or a simple fan can make a big difference and allow for comfort. 

We also tend to neglect personal care. Because the heat is stressful, things like skincare, protecting ourselves from too much sun, and keeping ourselves fresh are often ignored. Over time, this can lead to rashes, sunburn, or constant irritation that could have been avoided with a bit of attention.

And our dressing choices. Many of us stick to thick, tight, or dark-coloured clothes, thinking style matters more than comfort. But in this heat, light, loose-fitting fabrics like cotton or linen make a huge difference. They allow air to circulate, help sweat evaporate, and prevent overheating. Lighter colours reflect sunlight, while heavier colours trap it. Even small changes like swapping a hoodie for a breathable T-shirt or thick pants for shorts can make campus life much more bearable.

Finally, our reliance on umbrellas, sunshades and fans. It is advisable that we carry umbrellas to avoid direct sunlight, sunshades to protect the eyes from the harsh sun or small handheld fans to stay cool. These are helpful, but some of us over-rely on them and forget other essentials like drinking water, dressing appropriately, or taking care of ourselves. An umbrella and a fan are useful, but they should complement healthy habits, not replace them.

At the end of the day, the heat is already challenging enough. The goal should be to make life easier for ourselves, not harder. Small and simple changes like bathing regularly, using good and long lasting deodorants, drinking enough water, dressing for the weather, and using tools like umbrellas and fans wisely can make a huge difference.

We may not be able to control the weather, but we can definitely control how we respond to it.