![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/luis-graterol-uAROvYw9WDs-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/a>THE SUNPhoto by Luis Graterol on Unsplash<\/p>\n
Summer in New York City is iconic.\u00a0Picture movies like\u00a0\u201cDo the Right\u00a0Thing,\u201d\u00a0\u201cIn the Heights,\u201d\u00a0or\u00a0the beautiful children\u2019s book\u00a0\u201cTar Beach\u201d\u00a0about the\u00a0author\u2019s\u00a0childhood\u00a0in Harlem, escaping the heat on the family\u2019s\u00a0roof.\u00a0 While a New York summer is iconic, unfortunately,\u00a0the combination of soaring temperatures and the urban environment\u00a0can also create\u00a0unique\u00a0health risks. When a heat wave strikes,\u00a0it\u2019s important to protect yourself and vulnerable groups like children and the elderly from harm.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
A\u00a0heat wave\u00a0is a period of abnormally hot and\u00a0humid weather, typically lasting two or more days. Temperatures\u00a0during a heat wave\u00a0are often\u00a090\u00b0F (32.2\u00b0C)\u00a0or\u00a0higher.\u00a0In\u00a0crowded\u00a0areas like\u00a0New York City, heat waves are particularly dangerous due to the\u00a0Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. Buildings, concrete, and asphalt absorb heat\u00a0during the\u00a0day and radiate it back into the environment at night, preventing the city from cooling down. This leaves\u00a0residents,\u00a0especially the elderly,\u00a0young children, and those with health conditions\u00a0at higher risk of heat-related illness.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Feeling sweaty?\u00a0Water makes up about 70% of the human\u00a0body\u00a0and\u00a0we sweat\u00a0water\u00a0to cool down, much like\u00a0dogs\u00a0pant\u00a0to release heat.\u00a0If\u00a0we\u00a0sweat in the heat and\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0drink enough liquid,\u00a0we\u00a0risk\u00a0becoming dehydrated, losing more\u00a0fluid than we drink through urination and sweating, and our body\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0have enough fluid to do its job.\u00a0This is especially true during\u00a0walking or\u00a0exercise\u00a0when we sweat more than usual.\u00a0Some signs of dehydration are extreme thirst, weakness, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, less frequent urination, and dark urine (the color of apple juice).<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Water is essential for\u00a0health. Cells, body tissue, and organs all depend on water to function properly.\u00a0One of the most effective ways to stay healthy in the heat is to hydrate. Make it a priority to drink\u00a08 ounces\u00a0of water every 20\u00a0minutes,\u00a0rather than waiting until you feel thirsty. Take consistent, small sips throughout the day. Think of yourself as a human plant that needs to be watered all day long!\u00a0Of course, the best drinks are those without sugar or artificial sugar, caffeine, and certainly no alcohol.\u00a0Think\u00a0plain water, water infused with fruit, bubbly water (plain, flavored, or with a splash of juice), or unsweetened or lightly sweetened\u00a0decaffeinated\u00a0iced tea\u00a0(like hibiscus,\u00a0lemon,\u00a0ginger,\u00a0berry,\u00a0etc).<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Stay healthy during a heat wave by making\u00a0small changes\u00a0to your habits. Whenever possible, do your\u00a0errands,\u00a0walking, and outdoor\u00a0exercise\u00a0during\u00a0the cooler\u00a0morning\u00a0or\u00a0evening hours, rather than between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.\u00a0when the sun is highest and the temperature is hottest. For example, it may be too hot for your\u00a0normal\u00a0lunchtime\u00a0walk\u00a0at 1p.m., but you may enjoy a stroll\u00a0in your neighborhood\u00a0after you eat dinner.\u00a0Summer is a great time to use the gym if\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0a member or plan to do a home workout of any kind several days a week.\u00a0For\u00a0example,\u00a0use your exercise bike, stepper, elliptical, or treadmill, follow a video for yoga\/Pilates, dance,\u00a0or\u00a0strength train with your exercise bands or\u00a0dumbbells.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
In your\u00a0home,\u00a0use\u00a0air\u00a0conditioning\u00a0and\u00a0fans, and block the sun with curtains.\u00a0When outdoors, wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and use broad-spectrum sunscreen, no matter your skin color. Finally,\u00a0monitor\u00a0yourself and loved ones for heat-related symptoms like\u00a0dizziness\u00a0and\u00a0cramping.\u00a0If these occur, put a damp towel or paper towel on pulse points (neck, wrist, or back of the knees) to lower body temperature\u00a0immediately.\u00a0These could be signs of heat exhaustion and even heat stroke, a life-threatening\u00a0condition where the body becomes\u00a0overheated\u00a0and\u00a0organ failure can occur.\u00a0If you see a loved one or stranger in trouble, call 911 for medical help.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n