Top Ten Ways to Beat the Heat

How to Stay Cool and Sane in a Qatar Summer

By Sonya Laswed

Things can get hot in a desert country!

As we all know, our all too brief "winter" is quickly coming to its end. Hopefully you've done what you always said you will do once it gets cooler. So you've been to the beach, had walks on the corniche, and sat outside at every given opportunity, right?

Well, if you haven't you better get round to it - we've all been feeling the heat creeping up on us. Before you know it the hum of the A/C will be your constant companion and the outdoors will seem like a formidable opponent waiting to be conquered.

Well, don't worry - with our tips you'll survive the summer and come out the other end unscathed (mostly).

1. Stay indoors / Learn something new.

Try to stay indoors when the temperature is at its worst between noon and 3pm. During that time, why not try and bake some cookies or try some arts and crafts for the kids?

Failing that, spend a lost afternoon in the cavernous halls of the Museum of Islamic Art or take up Arabic…anything, just stay inside A/C heaven.

The Islamic Museum: A Haven of Coolness

2. Stay hydrated.

It's easy to fill up on juices and soft drinks in the heat, but remember water is the best way to make sure you stay properly hydrated. For little ones who may not like plain water, why not offer home-made ice lollies with their favorite diluted juice?

3. Be prepared.

If you know you're going to have a long afternoon in the car whether it is running errands or ferrying the kids to their activities, why not keep an ice box with fresh drinks, wet wipes and frozen fruit to keep you all going until tea time.

4. Rediscover the mall.

When the temperature starts to get a bit silly, pack yourselves up and go to the mall. It needn't be an expensive visit if you have lunch/dinner at home and just go for an ice cream and walk around. Also, you can always take in a movie and spend a couple of hours in arctic air conditioning!

5. Get wet.

Visit your local pool and if you don't have one, make friends with someone who does! Otherwise, you can always improvise with an inflatable kiddie pool which has the added benefit of being portable, fully air-conditioned (if you keep it indoors) and a novel way to watch TV (if you put it in your living room!)

The water at Aspire park can help keep you cool!

6. Go Camping.

Yes, really. Go on an organized overnight desert camping trip and you will be pleasantly surprised at the chill in the night air. You can revel in the fact that you went camping in the Gulf in mid-summer and lived to tell the tale.

7. Sleep.

The Spanish knew they were on to something with the siesta. The afternoon is a great time to have a nap and save your energy for whatever happens…..later…zzzzzz.

8. Make technology your friend.

I'm not suggesting trawling the internet for hours, but using this wonderful technology to enhance your home viewing experience. Apple TV allows you to download the latest movies, series, and golden oldies for rent or to keep and all you need is an internet connection. Definitely a lifesaver if you love movies and can't face the heat.

9. Become a night owl.

Make like the locals and keep most of your socializing to the cooler evenings. Once the school holidays start, keep the kids up late too. Hey, if it works in the Med I don't see why it wouldn't work here. Even in mid-summer you will find that the heat is bearable if you're by the corniche.

Take a night-time dhow ride, enjoy the cool breeze and survey the growing Doha skyline.

10. Remember it's only for 6 months!

When you really start to get fed up with all the heat, just think it's not long until winter will be back again….

Of course there are other ways to beat the summer heat, but it's supposed to be a top ten list. If you can think of any other ways, why not let us know?

By the same writer: Dubai versus Doha