Summer is here, even though we continue to gaslight ourselves with cheerful small talk like, “Oh, it isn't that hot yet.” If that were true, your electricity bill wouldn't already be screaming. So yes, it is hot, which means your life now consists of constantly moving between two dramatic modes: extreme heat outdoors and the glorious indoor coolness brought to us by one of humanity's finest achievements — air conditioning.

The problem is that AC, while heavenly, can also make things a little complicated. Getting a fever in the middle of summer is one of the worst plot twists imaginable. One minute you are ordering iced coffee, the next you are wrapped in a blanket wondering where it all went wrong.

Here are a few easy life hacks to help you deal with AC like a pro.

But first things first. We need to address the silent question that may have just appeared in your head.

It is a myth that cold air directly causes a cold. We believe this because our grannies told us not to eat ice cream too quickly, sit near a fan, walk barefoot, breathe suspiciously, or generally enjoy life.

Nostalgic? Yes. Scientifically accurate? Not quite.

A cold is caused by a virus, not by the temperature itself. But air conditioning can create the circumstances in which viruses, bacteria, and general unpleasantness have a much easier time getting to you.

Here is how.

1. Your immune response can get a bit dramatic

When you sit directly under a chilly AC draft, your body has to work harder to maintain its core temperature. Blood vessels constrict to reduce heat loss, which can reduce blood flow to your nose, throat, and extremities.

And when there is less blood flow to your mucous membranes, fewer immune cells are hanging around there like responsible security guards, ready to deal with viral invaders.

2. Your nose and throat dry out

AC doesn't just cool the air. It also dehumidifies it.

This means the protective moisture layer in your nose and throat can dry out, leaving your natural defence barrier less effective. Without that sticky little shield, viruses and bacteria have a much easier time settling in. Very rude of them, but there we are.

3. Indoor air keeps circulating

Closed, cold, dry spaces are ideal for spreading viruses and allergens. And if the AC system hasn't been cleaned properly, vents, ducts, and filters can collect dust, mould, bacteria, and all sorts of things you don't want to think about while relaxing on your sofa.

Then the system kindly circulates them around the room. Hospitality, but make it microbial.

4. Sudden temperature changes stress your body

Walking directly from the Dubai outdoors into a room that feels like a Scandinavian crime drama can be a shock to the system.

This sudden jump from extreme heat to intense cold can put stress on your body and may temporarily weaken your defences. Your immune system isn't a fan of being dragged through four seasons in seven seconds.

1. Don't set your AC to 16°C

We need to talk.

Setting your AC to 16°C when it is +36°C outside isn't a cooling strategy. It is an extreme sport.

You come in overheated, set the room to Arctic Expedition Mode, start feeling cold, switch the AC off, feel hot again 20 minutes later, switch it back on, and the cycle repeats until both you and your electricity bill lose the will to live.

It is also worse for the AC unit itself, because it has to keep working hard to cool the air instead of simply maintaining a steady temperature.

A better option is to set the temperature you actually want to live in. For many people, that is around 23–24°C. Then wait a little and let the AC do its job. Don't keep switching it on and off.

No dramatic temperature spikes. No unnecessary immune-system panic. Lower electricity bills. Everyone wins.

2. Layering is your best friend

Unfortunately, you won't always be in charge of the AC.

Malls, cafés, offices, gyms, cinemas, and other public places often seem to believe that the ideal indoor temperature is “penguin enclosure”. So bring something light to cover yourself with: a shirt, a jacket, a scarf, or a thin cardigan.

It helps you regulate your temperature and prevents you from becoming too chilled before stepping back outside into what can only be described as a preheated oven.

3. Don't live entirely on iced drinks

I know. This one is personal.

Iced sparkling water in summer is beautiful. Iced coffee is practically emotional support. But if you know you are prone to getting sick, it may be worth choosing room-temperature water more often, especially when you are already sitting in cold AC.

And yes, of course, drink more water when you go outside. I am not going to make a grand announcement about hydration because you already know. Consider this a polite reminder, not a lecture.

4. Get a humidifier

AC dries the air, and your nose and throat know it.

Think about how you feel after a long flight in a very dry aeroplane cabin. That tight throat, dry nose, and general “why do I feel like a raisin?” sensation. A similar thing can happen at home when AC is running all day.

A humidifier is one of the simplest ways to make indoor air more comfortable and keep your mucous membranes from giving up completely.

5. Don't forget to service your AC regularly

Clean filters and well-maintained systems help reduce dust, mould, and bacteria being blown around your home. AC is your friend. And treating your friends with care is generally a good idea, especially when that friend is the only thing standing between you and melting into the pavement.