The Summer's Teachings. Part II

The winter felt like we were locked inside some island-sized Stalingrad, 'forced' into frequent libation. But, the dark days are over and the speedos and southern comfort are in. However, with glorious sunshine come the trials and tribulations of heat. We’re not good with extremes - I'm writing this in boxer shorts y nada mas; I am like a lonely pensioner, at a computer, in a retirement home in some North American suburb. On that note, let's address a few summer issues (or ‘sissues’ - born from my recent love of portmanteau) of the nutritional, fitness and social variety.

• Timing is everything – Avoid exercising between the hours of 11am and 3pm. Unless you are training for some sadistic ultramarathon, which takes place on sand and fire, you won’t reap any benefits from exercising in the heat. Only professional athletes can profit from extreme temperatures, your bodies will not. Bikram yoga in the deepest depths of Kensington is one thing, circuit training at 1pm is another.
  
  
• Listen to Frankie – relax, man. Break the workout up into chunks, have longer breaks and get those electrolytes back into your system. Make your own drink: a pinch or two of good salt, some cordial and water.

• Babies, babies, babies – do not cope well when left in direct sunlight. Therefore, do not leave your baby in the sun; their tiny, little-wittle bodies are not so good at cooling themselves down. Ask yourself this: when was the last time your saw a baby sweat? Exactly.

• Small is Good – or at least that’s what I’ve been telling myself...about hydration. Please, sisters, b’gone crude thoughts. Taking small and frequent sips of water (or from your ‘special’ electrolyte drink) will allow your body to better absorb the liquid. Big gulps, bad, delicate ‘sippettes’, good.
  
  
• Gin & Circuses - we all knew that Hendrick's gin hit the spot like a shot of cucumber infused morphine, but with seasonal change comes elderflower and it is in this beautiful flower that gin, tonic and your very souls will find summer solace. Add a touch of elderflower cordial (or even elderflower liqueur) to your gin and tonic, and find sheer, unadulterated joy caress every sense-filled crevice. Gin was the drink of Hogarth's London. Embrace your inner harlot.
  
  
• Bare your feet - be more at one with nature and exercise barefoot. It's better for your posture, your foot muscles, your gait and in this heat, who wants sweaty feet? Not I. Please avoid commons frequented by: drunks, heroin addicts and the Greeks.