Currently, we are experiencing a wave of extra hot weather all over Malaysia. This is known as the El Nino phenomenon. El Nino is a weather pattern that occurs when the sea water becomes warmer than average and the wind blows weaker than normal. This usually brings less rain and will sometimes result in drought.
According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia), strong El Nino conditions are expected to occur next month. This means that the weather will be hotter and drier in June.
Outdoor activities have to be monitored and avoided if possible. If you have to go outside, make sure you are properly covered. Wear a hat, sunscreen, and light-colored clothing. Drink plenty of water, even when you are not thirsty. Do not do any open burning as it might escalate to a bigger fire situation in this dry weather.
Keeping ourselves hydrated is very important during this hot season. Usually, we are instructed to take 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. But in this heatwave, we have to drink more to avoid getting heatstroke. We might not realize it since we habitually drink only when we are thirsty.
Encouraging our children to drink more can be a daunting task, but water doesn’t have to be boring. There are plenty of ways to encourage everyone in the family to drink healthy and stay hydrated throughout the day. Being an excellent role model yourself is a terrific approach to encouraging your kids to drink water on a regular basis and develop the habit of doing so before they become thirsty.
The body and mind operate more effectively and feel stronger when they are well-hydrated. Serve water with meals and snacks, and spend a few extra seconds before your family leaves to load the water bottles. Here are some ways for us to add more fun to hydrating:
- Infuse water with lemons, oranges, cucumber or mint for some added flavor. This is an easy way to keep the whole family coming back for refills.
- Keep fruits and vegetables that are high in water content handy – and there are plenty of them. Some of the best vegetables to choose from are cucumber, spinach, cabbage, and celery. Top fruits include watermelon, papaya, mango, apples, and pineapple.
- Freeze fruit inside ice cubes. It dresses up the drinks at any table, and young children can help fill the trays.
- Give kids colourful water bottles or mugs to make them happy. Adding a festive touch may go a far way, whether it’s a personalised sports bottle, a stylish cup with an umbrella or swirly straw.
- Make your own popsicles using fruit puree for a cooling afternoon treat. Using tiny paper cups will turn it into an enjoyable family pastime. Before filling, let the kids decorate them, or hunt for popsicle molds in colorful and amusing forms.
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