Tips for not overheating - Cyprus

[noarguments]

Against my better judgement (long story) we are going to Cyrpus in a couple of weeks, and its going to REALLY HOT! Staying in a s/c appartment with aircon etc. DH says I'm fussing and it'll be fine, but we've not been anywhere that hot before - what are your tips for keeping cool, beyond sitting in a dark corner and not daring to go out between 10 and 6!!!

Oh and while we're at it, what's the view on that sun cream that you just put on once a day - does it really cut the mustard?

Thanks

Just realised it sounds like I'm a spoilt brat - I'm obviously hugely lucky to be able to go on a holiday like this. Its just that we work hard to afford this stuff and I don't want to feel like its a waste if I don't enjoy it because we're struggling with the heat....

How old are your dc?

We go to Greece in the summer hols, but have older kids so it's really not an issue. We usually go to the beach in the morning and the pool after lunch. We don't go out to eat until after 8pm when it starts to cool down. Day trips aren't generally on the agenda for us due to the heat. Can't wait to see the sun in Crete this year!

With younger children, just plan a nap/rest in the apartment between 1-3 ish. The time difference works in your favour to keep them up an extra 2 hours or so at night!

Water, hats (especially those that cover back of the neck for younger DC's), suncream, stay out of midday sun and head to a covered tavern between 12-3ish where you can drink ice cold wine from the barrel naps in the afternoon and loose clothing. Enjoy!

I get heatstroke easily so here's my- how to avoid fainting kit-

Wet your hair. Keep it wet- either periodically stick your head under a tap/ dip in the pool
Get an old fashioned fan. The best for making a breeze, no battery nonsense.
Loose cotton clothing
A hat
Don't walk too fast
A mini water spray. This is a lifesaver for me, like my own personal cloud! Just water in it, I spray on my arms, neck, hair. The water evaporates, cools the skin.
Sip cool water. NO alcohol.

Doing all that should make sure you don't overheat. But if you do feel dizzy and sick and faint-
Get into air con pronto
Sit down, sip lemonade.
Then have a cool shower, wetting hair thoroughly. Drink more lemonade.

No point going to hospital, all they will do is put you on a drip. And if you aren't puking then you can rehydrate yourself with lemonade. The sugars in full sugar lemonade are important to getting your brain working again.

There you go- no fainting!

Oh and while I have to do all that to stay alive my DH tans in a day, never gets too hot and it looks I pulled the pool man by day 3 of the holiday!

take a dvd player for siesta time'

tell kids everyone has to be quiet and in room

agree with Just about SLOWING DOWN.

Great tips. Although thoughts of puking and hospitals have made me slightly scared now, Justgottosleepnow!!
DC are 12 and 14, so they'll be grumpy but way easier to deal with than little ones.
Will stock up on lemonade when we get there and buy a waterspray thing.
DH does not look like pool man .... oh well.
Thanks.

It's 35 degrees here in cy today. Lots of great tips and I can't really add to them that much. I like the once application suncream but find they don't always offer enough protection so I wear kids waterproof factor 50.

Slowing down is definitely the answer as is being in the water as much as possible. Also it depends on where you are staying but you may find some indoor activities with aircon if they won't sleep and are bored in the apartment. Shopping, craft workshops or tenpin bowling off the top of my head for example.

Drink lots of water, don't sit in the sun during the hottest part of the day and if it gets really hot just spend your time in the pool or the sea.

I think the key is to adjust your normal timings of when to do things. I found lunch and a long time in the shade between about 12.15 to 3.15 works well and then swim etc to about 6.30 or later. Plus do not attempt any sightseeing during the hottest part of the day.

Sorry I forgot to add with regard to the suntan cream I found what works best was two really big applications a day 20 minutes before you go out. So the second one could be about 3pm and do every bit of you, it's easy to miss places such as inside of the arms, feet, ankles and wrists and ears.

go local - take it easy in the hottest part of the day, get in shade between 11 and 3 (doesn't have to be in a dark room!), cover up, drink plenty of water. Also if you have been sweating a lot don't forget something a bit salty to balance all that water.

don't spend all your time indoors in aircon, might as well not go! And yes, slap on the cream regularly. Kids should be wearing sunsuits and hats.

enjoy floating about in that nice warm sea, wearing hat and rash vest!

Didn't mean to scare you sorry!
But that's the worst that can happen, but it's so easy to avoid.
Oh swimming in the sea sounds so lovely

Seriously in Greece we don't get charged for beach umbrellas cos DH looks like a local after day 3. Sadly I am trying not to pass out if it goes over 25 degrees