Personal Narrative: How To Stay Cool

After a cold, hard winter, everyone looks forward to the summer. Having to live in perpetual summer may sound like paradise but as someone who lives in the tropics, I can assure you that it is far from that; more often than not, I am constantly sweating as I manoeuvre my way through sticky crowds and try to hide from the scorching afternoon sun. However, through the years I, like many others living in South East Asia, have honed down the art of summer to a science; after all, the average temperature for Singapore is a balmy 27ºC (81ºF) year-round. Did you know that eating spicy food is a common solution for alleviating the heat in this part of the world? Stay cool and look hot at the same damn time with these tips straight from the Equator:

Work Up A Sweat (kind of)

So all those hours spent at the gym have finally paid off and you’re confident that you’re ready to take on the summer! You deserve to show off that body that you’ve worked so hard on, but make sure that you pay attention to the upkeep: protect your body and prevent sun damage by wearing a good sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection, remember to re-apply throughout the day, and wear sunglasses that protect your eyes from at least 99

It’s a lot more effective than downing a cold smoothie, which can actually work against you as your internal body temperature rises to compensate for the sudden change in temperature. Sambal, one of the spiciest (and delicious) condiments I have ever tried, is a hot sauce that is native to South East Asia and sends tears down my face every time I eat it. The main ingredient, chilli pepper, is rich in antioxidants and boasts anti-inflammatory benefits too. To top it all off, sambal is a great metabolism booster, helping you keep that waistline in check - no wonder South East Asian women love eating