Staying cool during WPX
Summer is still a few weeks away, but Mother Nature is giving World Pork Expo-goers a preview of summertime weather.
Looking at the forecast this week, local KCCI meteorologists expect temperatures to flirt with the 100s the during the show:
Translation: It's going to be hot!
Here are some tips to stay cool and healthy, even as the mercury starts to creep higher:
- Wear loose-fitting clothes - preferably lighter in color. Cotton clothing will do a better job of keeping you cool.
- Pace yourself - yes, the World Pork Expo is filled with countless events and activities, but don't try to do too much.
- Drink plenty of water - water and sports drinks are the ideal beverages to beat dehydration. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which promote dehydration.
- Use common sense - if the heat is intolerable, stay indoors. There are numerous seminars as well as plenty of exhibitors in the air-conditioned buildings to keep you busy.
- Don't over-eat - yes, you're in the land of free-pork. It may be tempting to overeat, but big, protein-heavy meals force your body to "stoke its metabolic fires," which in turn make you feel physically warmer as well. Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead.
Though the elderly, very young or those with chronic diseases are at greatest risk of developing heat-related problems, anyone can get sick from the heat. If you are struggling to keep cool, run cold water over your pulse points, such as your temples or wrists.
Sources: MedicineNet.com, CDC, Mother Nature Network
