The Official Survival Guide for Singapore’s Heatwave: How to Cool Down and Keep Cool | GATSBY

Living near the equator, it’s hot all year long. But when a heatwave hits? It can feel like stepping into a sauna. That’s when you’ll need to break out your heatwave survival kit. Don’t sweat it, we’ve got all the tips to help you stay cool and beat the heat.

When does a heatwave happen in Singapore?

In Singapore, a heatwave means three straight days of 35°C highs and daily temperatures averaging 29°C or more. It’s the kind of heat that makes you want to stay indoors all day.

Climate change is serving up extreme weather changes like heatwaves. So Singapore is taking steps to get ahead of it. The Mercury Task Force has a Heatwave Response Plan in place when the temperature is off the charts – think online classes, cooling stations, and less outdoor stuff. It’s all about keeping everyone cool and safe when the heat is on full blast.

Heatwaves can mess up your daily life. School or work schedules may be shifted to dodge the heat. And you might have to scrap outdoor plans like sports, hangouts and lunch breaks.

9 Ways to Keep Cool and Cool Down

Still, there are definitely ways to survive a heatwave. Here are our top 10 tips to get through it!

Use a Portable Fan

Portable fans are lowkey lifesavers when the heat just won’t let up. Today’s versions are sleek, powerful, USB-charged, and TikTok-approved. Just hop on any e-commerce app like Lazada or Shopee and you’ll see tons of options. From Bangkok to Tokyo and Seoul, everyone’s rocking one during summer. Don’t be the only one out there melting!

Swap the Outdoors For Indoors

The hottest hours usually hit between 1pm and 4pm. So avoid the blazing heat by staying indoors, keeping cool in shaded or air-conditioned spots, or limiting outdoor time then. If the national Heatwave Response Plan is activated, you can also take refuge in cooling stations in community centres islandwide.

Bring Cooling Facial and Body Wipes Wherever You Go

Another tip? Load up on cooling facial wipes and body wipes – they’re a convenient fix to freshen up especially when you’re on the move. Look for GATSBY Facial Wipes that come with an ice-cool sensation or GATSBY Body Wipes that can help you fight off the odour as well. Even in the brutal heat, you’ll feel chilled out in no time. Stash a pack (comes in 15 & 42 sheets for Facial Wipes and 10 & 30 sheets for Body Wipes) in your bag so you don’t get stuck feeling icky due to heat, sweat, oil, stickiness or odour.

Sip on Cold Drinks

Staying hydrated is a must, especially during a heatwave. To stay chill, keep sipping on your favourite cold drink throughout the day – whether it’s iced matcha, a fruit smoothie or bubble tea. Oh, and here’s where a trusty flask like a Stanley or Owala comes in handy – it’ll keep your drink icy cold for hours.

Drink Hot Soup and Eat Spicy Food

Drinking hot soup and eating spicy food in a heatwave? Sounds wild, but it actually works … according to science. Doing so will make you sweat, and as your sweat evaporates, this will cool your body down! Just like Koreans who slurp spicy ramyeon during hot summer months, you can max up on chili and sambal … or even go all in with a fiery mala hotpot!

Get Instant Relief With a Cooling Body Spray

Here’s another cool hack when the heat gets unbearable - spritz on some cooling body spray for an instant refresh. The light, icy sensation on your ski will cool you down in seconds! GATSBY Crazy Cool Body Water which comes in fresh aquatic and citrus notes really nails this one. So why not make it your go-to - toss one in your bag so you can freshen up anytime, anywhere.

Hop Into a Cold Shower

In a blistering heatwave, one of the easiest ways to cool off fast is take a cold shower. It’s the ultimate reset button to tackle the heat! So step in and let the cold water do its magic – you’ll feel refreshed and ready to take on the day.

Dress in Light Clothing

What you wear can make or break your heatwave survival. To stay cool, go for breathable fabrics like lightweight cotton and moisture-wicking materials. It helps that oversized tees, tank tops, and loose button-ups are not only trendy, but will also keep you comfy in hot weather. Don’t forget to stick to light colours to avoid trapping heat.

Use the Right Bedding

On those sweaty nights, no one wants to wake up soaked because of bad bedding. Light, breathable cotton sheets will keep you cool and comfy while you sleep. Ditch the heavy duvet and grab a lighter blanket instead. You can even find cooling comforters with specialised tech that traps less heat.

Conclusion

Surviving a heatwave is all about staying chill with the right hacks. Things like cooling body sprays or facial wipes, cold drinks, and light fabrics are your go-tos to survive the scorching temps. With our tips, you’ll stay fresh and comfy no matter how high the mercury climbs.