By A.J. Griffiths-Jones

Us Brits are renowned for being obsessed with the weather and for centuries we have used it as a topic of conversation to make small talk, fill silences or to break the ice when meeting someone new.

We do this out of habit mainly because of the UK’s famously unpredictable climate, which can sometimes cause us to experience four seasons in one day. We tend to react strongly to any major temperature change, bemoaning the intense cold of winter yet also unable to cope with really hot summers.

Every Brit has at one time or another, been in a queue or waited at a bus-stop where someone has said, “Chilly today isn’t it?” or “We’re in for a scorcher, forecasters say it will reach the mid-twenties.”

Our penchant for discussing the rising or lowering of the climate is famous worldwide. It does make one wonder why so many expats choose to make Turkiye their home, when we are forced to stay indoors during daylight hours, with our air-conditioning units turned up full and a fridge of cold drinks on hand.

However, it is also interesting to note that one of the most effective ways to keep cool is by drinking tea, the national drink of both Turkiye and the UK, so the British should have a great coping mechanism for making it through the summer, as our Turkish friends do.

Drinking hot tea triggers the body’s natural responses, causing extra sweat to evaporate from the skin, drawing heat away and providing a cooling effect that lowers the body’s stored heat better than any iced drinks. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Turkish people drink on average 1,300 cups of cay per year.

It is for this very same reason that people in extremely hot countries, such as India and Thailand, eat curries. Spices act as a natural preservative and compounds such as chilli peppers, turmeric and capsaicin raise your internal temperature enough to trigger the body’s built-in cooling system as the moisture evaporates. Curries with added coconut milk also help to keep the body hydrated. Spicy ingredients also stimulate the digestive system, which can often feel sluggish on hot, humid days.

Of course, there are also some very simple ways to keep cool this summer without drinking your bodyweight in tea. Splashing cold water onto pulse points, such as your wrists, neck and ankles will help with hydration. As will closing blinds during the day and opening windows at night to create cross-ventilation. Soaking your feet in a bowl of cold water is also very helpful too.

There are also some very simple steps to take in our particular area, along the Aegean coast, where we have sea breezes and fresh water. A sensible routine would be to complete errands before 10am and after 5pm, but unfortunately many shops and offices tend to open between these hours, not before or after.

Avoiding the intense mid-day sun is a good start, even taking a nap, or siesta, when you feel at your most uncomfortable. Eating foods that are naturally high in water content, such as tomatoes, cucumber and watermelon, is perfect, so start your day with a traditional Turkish breakfast.

Many of us are lucky enough to have access to the sea or a communal swimming pool, and an early morning swim is great for making you feel refreshed. As temperatures drop during the evening, this is the time to take meals outside or enjoy a walk.

Of course, dining out on a cool night often means accompanying your meal with a beer or two, but do be aware that a cold beer might quench your thirst, but it is not good for hydration as alcohol is a diuretic, causing your body to lose fluids. Experts say that it is best to drink one full glass of water for every bottle of beer.

There is an old saying that goes ‘Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun’ but with a few simple tweaks, it’s not difficult to live in this beautiful country during summer months.

So next time you feel inclined to make small talk about the weather, maybe ask your Turkish neighbours how they cope in the heat, you might learn some really useful tips.