We all know how hot Qatar’s weather can get -- it goes up to 42 degrees Celsius in the summer. Being one of the top 15 hottest countries in the world, it is essential to know how to stay cool in the scorching heat, instead of abstaining from the number of fun activities Doha is known for.

Camel rides, desert safari, dhow, and yacht trips...these are just a few of the outdoor activities available in Qatar that are extremely sought after in all seasons. Don’t worry about the heat, we’ll help you stay fresh and cool with our tips! 

1. Stay hydrated -- with both drinks and food

To avoid heat exhaustion and other nauseating heat induced headaches and body aches, water is the key! Staying hydrated is the most important step to take while batting the sun, whether it be by drinking water itself (tip: add ice cubes for a cooler effect), or by increasing your intake of food that consists of a large amount of water, such as fruits like watermelon. 

If you’re in dry heat, drink something hot. While that may sound like a paradox, drinking hot beverages makes your body sweat, which is the best way to cool down. The hotter the beverage, the more sweat!

However, this will only work in places where your sweat can evaporate, making this trick only for dry heat, not in humid places. 

2. Satisfy your sweet tooth 

Summer is the right time to bring out your inner child. Whether you’re an adult, whether you’re actually still a child, reach for your cold, sweet desserts!  Ice cream, popsicles, slushies, smoothies, gelato, shaved ice, frozen yoghurt -- you name it.

There are many options, whether you’re lactose intolerant, or simply do not enjoy one or the other.  Cold, sweet indulgences like these treats will always help you cool down in the hot weather. 

3. Eat spicy, avoid salty 

As we mentioned earlier, sweat equals cooling down. As do hot drinks, spicy food acts as an irritant in the heat, causing us to sweat. The spicier the food, the more sweating and flushing, which leads to your body cooling down more. 

On the other hand, avoid salty food and protein, as they produce metabolic heat that leads to water loss, causing you to feel more hot. Drink extra water to balance out the water loss salty food leads to, if you do have a salty snack here and there.  

4. Dress for the occasion

If you can’t find shade, wear a cap and create your own for your head! This will help direct sun rays hitting your face and head, which will help in keeping cool.

As for sunglasses...we know how fashionable they are, but wouldn’t we love to protect our eyes from the UV rays? Sunglasses are basically sunscreen for your eyes, they protect your eyes from 99% of UV rays! 

When it comes to clothes, make sure to wear light, breathable fabric, such as cotton and linen. Cotton and linen fabrics feel cooler than polyester.

However, if you’re camping, or any situation where you’re far from home, switch to polyester fabric clothes, even if they may feel hotter. Since they dry up quickly, there is less risk of hypothermia since water won’t be trapped in the fabric, as it may in cotton clothes.

Cotton takes an extremely long time to dry, which makes it risky to wear if there’s a change in temperature, such as a drop in the night, leading to an increased chance of hypothermia. 

5. Catch the shade, find a breeze

When it comes to wind and breeze, evaporation of sweat gives us a cooling sensation, even in the heat.

As for finding shade, standing in the shade from time to time helps reduce the chance of a heat stroke, even though it might not help when the temperature is too high...but it definitely feels cooler than being directly under the sun! 

6. Small but important portable tools

Simple things such as carrying water in a spritz bottle and spraying it on yourself from time to time, putting a damp towel on your forehead, or fanning yourself with a small fan or even your hands make the biggest differences.

These will all give you a temporary cool feeling that will make a small but big difference.

Whether you’re swimming, kayaking, or just camping in the desert, we’ve got you covered in the Doha heat. Don’t miss out on all the amazing opportunities in Qatar due to the weather, you can cheat your way through hot summer days with our tips!

Check out 365 adventures for all the great activities they offer, all here in Doha throughout the year!

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