This time last year, I was pregnant with my darling son. I had swollen feet, extra weight, and insane salty cravings. All during the hottest months of the year...SUMMER!
Charleston Summers aren't to play with. It's humid, sticky, and heat indexes typically reach over 100°. I can hardly tolerate the weather now that I am no longer pregnant. Just imagine carrying around those additional pounds when I waddled from place to place. It can be frustrating. Trust me...I've been there. So here are some tips I took to stay cool:Drink Lots of Water
Staying hydrated is most important to take on the summer heat. As if you're not already making several runs to the restroom, but one of the major components of heat exhaustion stems from the lack of fluids in the body. It helps to cool the body and restore any fluids lost due to excessive sweating.Avoid drinks that are high in sugar and are caffeinated. I've found that this often induces dehydration, and makes you even more thirsty. You can also try adding a slice of lemon, lime, and cucumber to give that bland water some excitement.
Minimize Salt Intake
I mainly craved salty foods during my pregnancy. But really this counteracts the point made above. Excessive salt combats water retention. I know that a whole jar of pickles is calling your name, but try to minimize how much you're consuming.Wear Breathable Clothing
At some point, you may find yourself transitioning from your usual clothes to a trip to Motherhood to get some maternity wear. Find clothing that will keep you cool, and that are thin in texture. Nothing like having sweat stick to a pair of thick jeans.During my pregnancy, I invested in several dresses and flowing blouses, as these are thin and provides extra comfort.
Avoid Outdoors When You Can
Unless it's necessary, avoid the outdoors when you can. Sometimes staying indoors is the perfect remedy to defeat the heat.If you find that you have to go outside, remain in shaded areas or go during the cooler hours of the day. The evening time or earlier in the morning is when the sun is not its highest. Peak hours like noon or early afternoon are the hottest, and when temperatures are beginning to rise.
Get A Personal Fan
I asked my job to get me a small fan during my pregnancy because I would get so hot at my desk (mind you the air conditioning was already blowing). That small fan came in handy for when I felt overheated and needed some additional air blowing my way.These are pretty inexpensive, and often have multiple settings you can choose to your liking. Most stores even have personal handheld fans you can choose from.
