How Humid Weather Really Affects Your Body
It's not just the heat that can negatively impact your body and affect your health during the warm summer months — it's also the humidity. Humidity is the concentration of moisture or water vapor in the air (via Bustle). The ideal moisture level for maximum comfort and health is between 30% and 60%. If there is too much moisture in the air, however, the humidity will be high and uncomfortable.
That's because too much humidity can alter the body's perception of heat and make it difficult for it to cool itself off. "You may feel more uncomfortable on a humid day because your body is not as easily able to evaporate the sweat on your skin, due to the moisture in the air," Christina L. Belitsky, a physician assistant with healthcare provider Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care, told Bustle. The evaporation of sweat is what allows your body to cool down in the first place. If this is unable to happen, however, your body can overheat and become dehydrated.
How to stay cool in humid weather
You can stay cool in the heat and humidity by following a handful of simple and effective tips and techniques. For instance, one way to beat the heat and humidity is to drink and eat cold foods and beverages (via Temperature Master). Eating salads and fruits or drinking cold water and sports drinks can actually lower your core body temperature and help keep you hydrated so you don't accidentally overheat.
Wearing clothes made from cotton can also help you stay cool. Cotton is a light and breathable fabric that can easily allow heat to escape. It's also a moisture-wicking fabric, which means that it can actually help keep you dry by moving moisture away from your skin. When it comes to indoor humidity, however, you can help cool yourself off by turning on a fan or cranking up the AC. If you have air conditioning in your house or apartment, you can beat the humidity by setting the temperature to 65 degrees. This will help make it cool enough so that you won't sweat and overheat. If you don't have air conditioning, putting a fan in your doorway can help create a light breeze, which will have a similar effect.