North of the 49th | Amway

I don't want to go all "After-School Special" on you here, but even though summer's coming to an end there doesn't seem to be any sign of the heat abating in many parts of Canada and the U.S.

I'm a casual tennis fan. I enjoy watching once in a while and I don't play as much as I'd like to (I have a wicked backhand slice if I do say so myself). That interest led me to this article, which discusses a scary scene at the U.S. open that saw Victoria Azarenka collapse and fall mid-match during a routine point. The reason hasn't been determined officially — and it could be something far more complicated — but heat appears to be a factor.

Add to that any one of a handful of media reports showing how oppressive the heat has been. From reports in publications like Maclean's magazine stating that this is one of the hottest summers on record, or the fact that Toronto is, as we speak, in its third day of 30+ degree heat, you can't turn to a news outlet without hearing about the about the heat. The old adage may state that "We all talk about the weather, but no one does anything about it" the truth is we can do something about it — or at least how we deal with it.

The simple fact is that we don't recognize the dangers of extreme heat until it's too late. There's a saying that states, "by the time you're thirsty, it's already too late." Your body is experiencing dehydration and it can result in anything from minor problems to death.

It's bad enough for adults — it's even worse for kids because they're less aware of their bodies and dehydration is a foreign concept. It's a little better nowadays — my kids have always come in for water when they're playing and carry water bottles with them at the park or on class trips. In my youth, I remember going out first thing in the morning and playing baseball until the sun went down. Stopping for water? Yeah, right.

It doesn't even have to be extreme heat. And it can happen to people who should know better. In fact, a couple of years ago I was MCing an event for my old high school. It wasn't all that hot, it was late summer/early fall, but I spent about 10 hours standing on top of a parking structure, exposed to the sun, announcing a couple of football games and narrating the festivities. I had a couple of bottles of water during the day, but when I came home I had a splitting headache. I ended up really sick and was knocked out for a couple of days until I properly rehydrated myself. Suffice to say, I take proper precautions now.

So what are those precautions? Click here for Health Canada's Extreme Heat Events on-line guide (thanks to Amway Canada's TQS' Jacqui for the link). In addition to common-sense precautions like staying in air-conditioned environments and reducing activity during hot weather, there's one major point that we should all take to heart — drink lots of water. Drink it before you're active, during, and after. And if you're sweating profusely, you may want to drink something that has extra salt in it.

While it's true that we have a number of great products to help you stay hydrated — especially as part of our NUTRILITE(R) Sports Nutrition line and Perfect Empowered Drinking Water(TM) — the fact is that this is an issue that goes well beyond commerce. Sure, we'd love for you to buy these products and support your local independent business owner, but in the end we want you and your family to be healthy, regardless of what you choose.

The title of this blog post, in keeping with my Canadian music theme, may be light-hearted, but this post isn't. Please take care of yourselves and share the message with your friends, family, and associates. Heat and dehydration are serious issues.

In fact, they can be deadly serious.

All the best,

Jay

It's hot.

That's probably not shocking news for most of you joining me in the centre-eastern part of this wonderful continent of ours, but facts are facts. It's hot.

Not just, 'whew, I'm perspiring' hot, but rather 'I seem to be having trouble breathing because the humidity makes it feel like I'm breathing underwater and I think my shoes just melted to the pavement' hot. 

I hate it.

I know hate's a strong word, but it's fitting here. I hate heat. Hate it with the burning passion of a thousand suns (which, ironically, would still be about six degrees cooler than it feels right now). Right about now, there are plenty of people like me, milling about looking for climate-controlled refuge. But, oddly enough, there's one group of people that I can't find — and I've been searching.

You know them. They're the "I love summer people." They're particularly ubiquitous in Canada come the depths of winter. February's the best time of year to spot them — they're they pasty-white, blinking-under-the-fluorescent-lights zombie who mutter things like "I hate winter," "I'm chilled to the bone," and "I can't wait for summer."

The thing is — they can wait for summer! They hate it as much as me — I'm just more honest about it. Those same self-professed summer lovers are the same ones who batten down the hatches, seal all windows and doors, and crank up the central air the second the thermometer goes about 25! For all the talk about loving the sun, the outdoors, and the summer, they'll only love it from a cozy, climate-controlled environment.

I'm not saying I'm significantly different than them — except I admit my hatred for heat. And I remain consistent about it.

Listen, I love winter. You can always throw another layer on and stay warm. You can only take off so much before you get arrested.

So how are you beating the heat? Have you tried XS isotonic or energy drinks? Water? Perfect Empowered Drinking Water? What are your beat-the-heat tips this summer?

Comments are open. All the best.

Jay