Studies suggest that approximately 1,300 people die in the United States every year due to extreme heat-related problems. Heat injuries are quite common these days, and the problem just keeps worsening. Working people, who are always under a lot of stress and have to spend a lot of energy during their work, are also prone to these problems. It is therefore important for you to be careful in hot weather conditions so that you too do not fall victim to such issues.

Here are 5 simple, but important, tips for working in hot weather conditions.

#1 Double-check the weather conditions

Before getting started with your work, you should prepare yourself for the day ahead. Prepare yourself accordingly. If you need to travel for work-related purposes, you can check whether you should carry an umbrella or not. 

By checking the weather conditions, you can know what to expect for that particular day or week in advance. This will allow you time to get yourself ready for the day.

#2 Keep yourself hydrated

Hot weather conditions can lead to a lot of sweating, which is good for your body in a way. Sweating is one of the many ways by which the body loses heat and keeps your internal temperature regulated. It is because of this reason that you tend to sweat a lot in hot climate conditions. 

However, more sweating can lead to more loss of water from your body. As a result, you become dehydrated. This can hamper your body’s ability to regulate the internal temperature. It can also lead to other health risks such as heat injuries, kidney problems, hypovolemic shock, and so on.

Thus, you need to keep yourself hydrated all the time. Drink as much water as you can while you are working. Avoid substitutes like cola or energy drinks as they cannot work as a direct replacement for water. 

#3 Dress lightly

When working in hot weather conditions, you will be spending a lot of energy and your body will be releasing a lot of heat. This heat needs to leave your skin and escape the layers of fabric that you are wearing. If your clothes are heavy or thick, this heat will have a much difficult time escaping, making you feel very uncomfortable. This is why you must dress lightly during such conditions. 

Wear breathable clothes. Being breathable means that the clothing allows perspiration to escape from our bodies. This type of clothing is light and allows your body heat to escape quickly. This, in turn, will make you feel quite comfortable. The quicker the heat escapes, the cooler you will feel.

Cotton is the best fabric choice for hot conditions. You can also wear linen clothing, which is another lightweight and breathable fabric. 

#4 Avoid staying under the sun and take frequent breaks

Staying under the sun for a prolonged period can lead to heat strokes. There is only so much heat that your body can withstand, and once the overheating starts, you will begin to suffer from such heat injuries. 

Therefore, you need to avoid staying under direct contact with the sun and keep yourself stationed at a cool place at all times. Even when you have to move from one location to another, you should do so with extreme caution. Stand or move through a shaded place whenever you can.

You should also take breaks frequently. Cool yourself off, and drink some water. Let your body relax for a while before jumping back to work. Taking frequent breaks can help reduce some of the stress and keep your mind cool.

#5 Do not overwork yourself

The human body is like a car engine; the more it works or runs, the more energy it spends, and the more heat it starts to generate. And while this heat is being released, it is important for you to try and minimize the amount of heat being generated. You can do so by not overworking and giving yourself a small break every once in a while.

When you work over your usual capacity, the body generates an immense amount of heat. However, it can only release a portion of this heat at a time. So when you keep pushing yourself, there will come a time when the body has to deal with more heat than it can handle. As a result of this, the body temperature starts increasing, and you are likely to suffer a heat injury. So it is best to limit your workload during such hot conditions.

So remember these tips before you get to work. And always carry a bottle of water with you wherever you travel.