How to cope with extreme heat

It’s hot — probably too hot. From my sweltering living room, the heat outside looks like a mirage, distorting the view of the dusty street.

Like many parts of Europe right now, Egypt is experiencing a blistering heatwave that has sent the mercury soaring above 40 degrees. For people like myself who live in North Africa or those currently facing heatwaves in Greece and Cyprus, this summer feels like a battle of mind and body.

Home to sun-baked pyramids and vast golden deserts, Egypt offers a unique lifestyle that’s definitely exciting. However, in such unforgiving heat, temperatures can also dictate your daily life and make even the simplest tasks feel challenging.

I’m based in Dahab on the coast of the Sinai Peninsula, an hour away from Sharm El-Skeikh, and this will be my second year living through a sweltering desert summer. My past experiences of heatwaves in Jordan, Mexico, and Australia, as well as travels in India, have also taught me the rules of life in extreme heat.

Obviously, the potential dangers of blistering temperatures, like heatstroke and dehydration, require some added precautions. Beyond staying in the shade, here’s my personal experiences on how to survive – and actually enjoy – life in extreme heat.

A slow pace of life  

Living in a country where 40C is the norm means your days must start early. Exercise, for example, is best reserved for sunrise, and evening meetups usually begin (and end) way later than sunset.

Coming from fast-paced London, it was hard at first to accept that everything slows down around midday in hot countries. But I had to respect the scorching heat and adjust my rhythm to avoid exhaustion. Regular breaks and siestas are overwhelmingly welcomed in hot country communities.

Read more on how to stay safe when hiking in extreme heat

Even movements themselves should be more relaxed in hotter weather, which takes a surprisingly conscious effort.

By embracing a slower, more hydrated version of myself, I had better control over my energy levels, felt less tiredness and could actually enjoy the weather. Interlaced with regular dips in the ocean, life in the heat is all about balance and listening to what your body needs.