Check out these great tips on keeping your temperature down this summer.
With this warm weather set to stay we thought we’d share some top tips on keeping cool this summer. After all, you may love a bit of sun and warmth on your body, but when you're pregnant, it's sometimes the last thing you need. For starters, your core body temperature will be higher than normal due to a combination of hormonal changes, increased blood flow and the heat produced by the placenta. Between that and the UV rays we’re desperate to avoid, sometimes all you want to do is stay indoors. But you don’t need to miss out on all the sun fun. Just try these simple tricks to help keep you cool in a heatwave.
Apply more Day Gel
Our top tip for cooling your bump is to apply more of our Day Gel. Blended with extracts of Centella Asiatica and fragranced with energising bergamot it will cool and refresh you immediately.
But what about all those other parts of your body that need cooling down?
Hydrate
When in doubt, drink! It’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day with plenty of cold water. Pregnant women should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Try putting a bottle in the freezer the night before you go out. And cut back on caffeine as this will make you even more dehydrated.
Damp Cloth
Whilst you’re knocking back the H2O, save some to douse on a cloth to apply to your neck. You might be surprised to find there’s nothing better when the heat gets too much. Also, try placing it on your forehead or the top of your head.
Wrist Under The Tap
Try running the cold tap and holding your wrists under it for quick relief.
Cooling Foods
Bear with us on this one! It may sound strange to you but some foods might be able to cool you down. In oriental medicine, all foods are classified according to their properties and their effects on the body, including whether they are 'warming' or 'cooling'. So, we recommend you tuck into lots of 'cooling' salads, vegetables grown above ground, such as peas and beans, and soft fruits. And, naturally, foods with a higher water content will have a more cooling effect. So why not tuck into a slice of watermelon or mango while you hang out by the pool?
Essential Oils
Certain essential oils can cool you down. Mandarin and Neroli essential oils are well known for their cooling properties - perfect for those times when you're feeling hot and bothered. Try adding a few drops of either oil to witch hazel flower water and spray onto your face, neck and arms. And for those of you with swollen ankles try adding a couple of drops of lavender oil in a foot bath.
Go For A Swim
Whether you’ve got an indoor swimming pool or a membership with your local lido, dive right in! Swimming doesn’t just cool you down, it’s also great for relieving the weight on your sciatic nerve, which extends from the backs of your thighs to your calves. Avoiding exercise in this heat is strongly recommended in pregnancy, but a workout in the pool can cool, tone and energise you all at the same time.
Breathable Wardrobe
Wear natural, absorbent fabrics like linen or cotton, perfect for those sweaty trips. They can also help prevent heat rash, which is common during pregnancy. And when it comes to the perfect opportunity to wear a fabulous wide-brim hat, there’s no time like the present.
Find Shade
Many women find that their skin is more sensitive to sun during pregnancy, as they develop a skin condition called chloasma, which causes brown patches on the face. These patches look even darker after sun exposure as they tan more deeply than the rest of your skin. So, we recommend you find some shade when the sun is on full blast. You’ll be glad you did!
Moisturise
Keep your skin hydrated, supple and moist with our Secret Saviours Night Cream. For best results, use it every night.
How are you keeping cool during your pregnancy this summer? Please share your tips below.
