Well, it’s October, which usually means the cool, crisp air of fall should be returning. But this year, the weather has been quite the opposite. Record-breaking temperatures hit highs of 99 degrees fahrenheit with “feels-like” temperatures of 104. As an outdoor student athlete, I can confirm it was miserable, so here are my tips for surviving the heat!

1. Hydrate or Diedrate: Staying hydrated is possibly the easiest way to feel your best during the heatwave. Bringing an extra large water bottle to school and filling it up throughout the day will help to ward off dizziness. I recommend the 32 oz Nalgene; it’s perfect for carrying around school and tracking your water intake. For those who are staying active in the heat, drinks high in electrolytes like Gatorade will help you push through the daunting temperatures.
2. Leave the Fall Sweaters at Home: Even though we’re almost officially out of summer and into sweater weather, the heat clearly has other plans. Hoodies, knitted sweaters, sweatpants, and jeans are the fastest way to feel gross as soon as you step outside. Sticking to shorts and skirts for a few more weeks is a much cooler option than fall fashion right now. 
3. Refreshers, not Hot Drinks: While Starbucks has introduced this year’s fall drinks, it might be better to wait a couple of weeks for the weather to change before indulging. Stick to the Starbucks Frozen Lemonade Refreshers, which will keep you cool and hydrated (refresher is literally in the name). The pumpkin spice lattes and hot chocolates can wait.
4. Always Wear Sunscreen: With the heat comes high UV index readings. High UV rays from the sun are a painful reminder of everyone’s summer sunburn. Remembering to wear sunscreen and re-apply throughout the day will protect your skin and make you feel that much better. Make sure you remember your face too! (Fenty Skin Hydra-Visor Moisturizer with SPF is my go-to!)

While it may be nice to have a couple extra weeks of warm weather, it’s time to prioritize staying safe. Eating and drinking appropriately, dressing for the weather, and protecting against the sun will help you stay healthy while we fight this last bout of heat.