Physical Health in Hot Climates

Written By: Bryan Watson, CD-SV

This article is a contribution on behalf of the IDA Health & Wellness Taskforce. 

Physical Health in Hot Climates

Whether you are a mobile detailer or working in a shop without AC, weather can dramatically impact your performance. Detailing can be physically demanding and the demands on the body are exacerbated even more when heat is added to the mix. Heat and humidity cause you to sweat — the body’s natural cooling mechanism — which means you are losing water. Therefore, hydration is essential to ensure your body can operate at an optimal level.

Hydration is vital when you first wake up. Your body spent all night repairing itself and used up a lot of water. You need water when you first wake up! At least one glass of water first thing — I down a liter of water upon waking — and then you can have some coffee. Once you get behind on hydration, you will be operating at sub-optimal levels until you get enough water.

Did you know that even mild dehydration causes fatigue and a reduced ability to focus? Most people are dehydrated all day long and don’t even realize it. A 2013 study found that our brains — comprised of mostly water — shrink when we get dehydrated, with the main effects being increased sleepiness and fatigue, lower levels of vigor and alertness, and increased confusion. But as soon as they gave the subjects some water, the deleterious effects on alertness, happiness, and confusion were immediately reversed. As detailers, we need to be able to focus for long periods as it is all about the details. So yes, being properly hydrated will make you a better detailer!

Staying hydrated:

• One easy way to check your hydration levels is to check your urine. Urine should be a pale yellow color. Any darker, then you are not properly hydrated. Drink more water.
• Invest in a fun water bottle. Personalize it and keep it on you all the time. You’re more likely to drink water and stay hydrated when you have that connection with you all the time.
• Shop owners should invest in a water cooler. Water delivery service is very cheap considering the performance improvements it will have on your employees.
• Mobile detailers, bring lots of water with you. One water bottle is not enough. Invest in a portable water cooler that can hold multiple gallons for you and your employees.  

Tips to keep cool:

• Cooling towels and headbands work well to keep body temperatures down. There are plenty on the market. Simply wet the towel, wring it out, and wrap it around your neck, head, or upper body. Once they start to not feel cool, re-wet and repeat.
• If mobile, having tinted windows can drastically reduce the temperature inside your vehicle, and keeping a windshield shade up will help tremendously. If you need to, take a 5-10 min AC break inside your vehicle to help get your body temperature down.
• When detailing in a mobile setting, consider a quality pop-up canopy to keep your work environment in the shade if there is no garage to work in. This is a vital tool in your arsenal to help keep you cool and performing at a high level.
• Try to avoid tight-fitting or dark-colored clothing. Invest in comfortable, loose, moisture-wicking clothing for you and your team. There are even sun-protective clothing options available. Wear hats, sunglasses, and moisture-wicking long-sleeve shirts to protect your body from UV rays.
• Shop owners, if you don’t have AC in your shop, invest in fans to keep the air moving. Open doors to help pull air through the shop.

Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  Heat exhaustion can quickly transition to heat stroke without proper intervention.  Heat stroke is a medical emergency!  It’s not a bad idea to post the signs, symptoms, and necessary actions to combat these in your shop.

Heat exhaustion signs:

• Heavy sweating
• Cold, pale, and clammy skin
• Fast, weak pulse
• Nausea or vomiting
• Muscle cramps
• Tiredness or weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Fainting (passing out)

What to do if you suspect heat exhaustion:

• Move to a cool place
• Loosen your clothes
• Put cool, wet cloths on your body or take a cool bath
• Sip water

Get medical help right away if:

• You are throwing up
• Your symptoms get worse
• Your symptoms last longer than 1 hour

Heat stroke signs:

In addition to heat exhaustion symptoms, pay close attention to these

• High body temperature (103°F or higher)
• Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
• Fast, strong pulse
• Confusion
• Losing consciousness (passing out)

What to do if you suspect heat stroke:

• Call 911 right away, heat stroke is a medical emergency
• Move the person to a cooler place
• Help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath
• Do not give the person anything to drink
• Do not wait! Taking early action can save a life.

Detailing is demanding work that requires long hours of physical exertion and intense focus. Staying cool and hydrated will improve your performance and ensure that you’re delivering quality results for your clients day in and day out. Don’t try to be a hero. Listen to your body. Look out for your employees and put measures in place to ensure everyone is hydrated, as cool as can be, and set up for optimal performance!

References:

British Journal of Nutrition. Effects of hydration status on cognitive performance and mood. Jan 2014. Masento et al.

https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114513004455

https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html#text