How To Acclimatize Yourself To a Tropical Climate

Are you planning a holiday to a tropical climate and worried about the temperature and humidity? The idea of escaping the cold European or North American/Canadian winters is so appealing, but will it be too much of a shock dealing with the heat? I am English, and lived all my adult life in London until I decided to move to the Yucatan in Mexico.
The tropical climate here ranges from hot to very hot, and can also sometimes be very humid.
During the winter months, although it is hot in the day, it can be quite chilly at night, so you need to be prepared for a variety of temperatures.
I can give advice on how to acclimatize according to the conditions I live in here.
So for your holiday destination, check out the variations in temperature for the time of year you are planning to go.
Here in the Yucatan, the best time to visit is from November to April.
The temperatures during the day are in the high 70s and low 80s F.
during the day, and at night can drop down to 30 F.
From May through August it is hotter, ranging from the high 80s even to above 90 F during the day, and cools down a little at night.
Temperatures at the coast are lower due to the delicious sea breezes, and it is cooler in a mayan village than in the city.
During the rainy season, between May and October, it can become humid, which can make you feel tired and lethargic.
However, the rain storms, although usually very heavy, are short lasting, and when the sun comes out again, everything is washed like new, and the humidity levels fall again.
The most important advice is to drink plenty of water.
Always keep a bottle with you, and sip it throughout the day.
Wear loose cotton clothes, to allow your skin to breathe.
Try to wear layers, for example a T-shirt under a long-sleeved shirt.
You can take off and put on the top layer as and when you need, and it is not bulky or heavy to carry around.
For the first few days, take it easy, don't try to do too much.
Adopt the locals' habit of taking an afternoon siesta.
Drink plenty of water Plan activities early and late, and try to avoid being out in the sun between 11am and 3pm.
Drink plenty of water Always wear a sun hat when walking in the sun.
Drink plenty of water Protect your eyes with sunglasses, and protect your skin with a high factor sun cream.
Drink plenty of water Use mosquito repellent.
In the Yucatan, as far as I know, there is no malaria, but you can catch dengue from mosquitoes.
They are most active at dawn and dusk, so those are the times you most need to use repellent.
There are now natural repellents which do not damage the eco-system, so you can swim in the cenotes (sacred mayan underground lakes).
Drink plenty of water Be careful with alcohol because it dehydrates your body.
Your cool and delicious margarita at sunset kicks quite a punch, and if you are already dehydrated from too much sun, you could be in trouble.
The most important advice is to drink plenty of water, wear loose cotton clothes, and protect yourself from the sun and the mossies.