As summer gets close, the temperature becomes hotter and hotter. Many students may feel sleepy and tired in class, as well as exhausted and unable to concentrate or focus. That's the symptoms of summer fatigue, also can be called as summer lethargy. The hot air makes our children lack motivation and energy, which impacts their learning efficiency and grades.
To wipe out the summer fatigue, we need to figure out the underlying causes. Firstly, one the reason why we feel drowsy in summer is that our body is acclimating the heat. We, as the human, are endotherms that our body regulates our physical temperature both internally and in response to the external. When our skin surface feels hot, body system has to expend extra energy to work hard so that to cool it down, which will make us feel tired.
Besides, we lose fluid and salt quickly in the heat because of that we sweat more to keep our skin temperature down. Consequently, it will lead to dehydration and hyponatremia, which usually can cause tiredness and dizziness. What's more, the cozy environment is always linked with sleep, so when we feel warm, our mindset reacts to that accordingly. Besides, when it gets warm, our blood pressure drops, that means there is less oxygen reaching to the brain and will get us tired, too.
So, what can we do to help our children combat the summer fatigue?
1. Eat a healthy and balanced diet
As the saying “we are what we eat.”, when we feel tired, our body is lacking some nutrients. A regular, healthy, and balanced diet is a key to fight summer drowsiness. You can ask your children to eat a variety of food groups, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, and dairy, to feel more energetic and less exhausted.
2. Drink sufficient water
Being hot causes us to sweat more and quicker, which may lead to dehydration. A symptom of the dehydration is fatigue, so, taking a decent drink of water keeps our children stay calm, feel energetic, and other positive emotions. In the meanwhile, try to reduce kids to have too many soft drinks, as it not only results in overweight but also gets more energy and fight fatigue.
3. Ensure adequate sleep
Good and adequate sleep is necessary for avoiding drowsy in daily school time. To form a good sleep habit, try to wear loose fitting clothes and ask them to get to bed at the same time each night. Sometimes, playing light music and do some stretching help in preparing for a good night's sleep. Avoid drinking too much water, or watching TV for a long time before sleep, asking them to read a book, or keep a diary instead.
4. Get moving
Many children feel sluggish in the heat, and they don't want to move or work out. However, regular exercise is proved that can boost energy and improve sleep quality, as well as improve self-confidence.
5. Study in the air conditioner
If possible, equipping the classroom with AC to cool down the temperature to enhance children's learning environment, but remember to drink enough water to avoid dehydration. If that is not possible, get regular fans instead.
