You know, it’s always a bit baffling to me. People plan these amazing trips to hot, sunny places, spend a ton of money, and then they just… forget the sun can actually knock you flat. It’s like common sense takes a vacation too. I’ve seen it happen too many times, and honestly, it’s mostly avoidable.
My Approach to Not Melting
So, here’s what I’ve learned to do, mostly from just being out there and, yeah, maybe one or two close calls myself back in the day. It’s not a secret formula, just basic stuff people tend to overlook.
Water, water, and more water. Seriously. I start gulping it down before I even leave my hotel room. I carry a big bottle with me all the time. Not those cute little ones, a proper one. And I refill it every chance I get. If you wait until you’re thirsty, you’re already behind. I remember this one guy on a trip to Egypt, swore he was fine, didn’t need much water. A few hours later, he was green around the gills and we had to practically carry him into some shade. Not a good look, and it wrecked his afternoon.
Dress smart, not just stylish. I see folks in dark, tight clothes, even jeans, in blazing heat. Madness! I always go for loose, light-colored clothing. Think cotton, linen – stuff that breathes. And a hat is non-negotiable for me. A wide-brimmed one, not just a baseball cap that offers zero neck protection. It’s amazing how much cooler you feel.
Timing is everything. I try to be like a local. You don’t see them running around in the peak heat of the day, right? So, I do my main sightseeing early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Midday? That’s my cue to find some air conditioning, maybe a long lunch, visit an indoor museum, or just chill by a pool if there is one. Trying to power through the hottest part of the day is just asking for misery.
Take it easy at first. Especially if you’ve come from a cooler place. Your body needs time to adjust. I don’t go on a 10-mile hike on my first day in 35°C heat. I ease into it. Give myself a day or two to acclimatize. It’s a vacation, not an endurance test.
Listen to your body – it’s usually right. If I start feeling a bit off, dizzy, headachy, or unusually tired, I stop. Immediately. Find shade, drink water, cool down. Pushing through is the worst thing you can do. That’s how minor heat exhaustion turns into full-blown heat stroke, and you really don’t want that.
It’s not about being overly cautious or spoiling the fun. It’s the opposite. It’s about making sure you can have fun and actually enjoy the amazing place you’ve traveled so far to see. I once saw this family in Rome, in August. The kids were crying, parents were stressed and red-faced. Their whole day looked ruined. Probably just needed to duck into a cool church for an hour and chug some water. Simple stuff, but it makes all the difference between a great memory and a miserable one.
Why am I so passionate about this? Well, years ago, on my first big solo trip to Southeast Asia, I was young and, frankly, a bit daft. Thought I was invincible. I pushed myself way too hard on a temple tour in Cambodia under the midday sun. Didn’t drink enough. Next thing I knew, I was feeling incredibly sick, dizzy, and had to spend the rest of the day and half of the next recovering in my guesthouse, missing out on stuff I’d planned for months. That was a lesson I only needed to learn once. Since then, I’ve been super careful, and honestly, my trips are way more enjoyable for it. It’s not about complex medical knowledge; it’s just about not being an idiot in the sun!
