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Doha, Qatar: As summer temperatures in Qatar climb well above 40°C, residents across the country are once again adjusting their daily routines to cope with the intense heat.
In a country home to people from more than 100 nationalities, the ways of dealing with summer may differ, but many residents share similar strategies for staying healthy, comfortable, and active during the hottest months of the year.
When asked how they survive a Doha summer, residents from different backgrounds pointed to a common theme: adaptation.
For Dr. Baris Gecit, a Turkish marketing professor at UDST, Doha’s summer made an immediate impression. Having lived in Finland and experienced both the hottest and coldest regions of Türkiye, he thought he was prepared for extreme weather. However, his arrival in Qatar on August 13, 2024, proved memorable.
“When I stepped off the airplane, it felt as if the heat coming from outside was coming directly from the aircraft’s engine,” he recalled.
Although he considers himself highly adaptable and did not struggle significantly with the climate, he quickly modified his lifestyle. When purchasing a car, the quality of the air-conditioning system became one of his top priorities. During summer, he avoids unnecessary outdoor activities and spends most of his time in air-conditioned spaces.
One particular experience highlighted the challenges of exercising outdoors during the hotter months. After accepting a friend’s invitation to play basketball at West Bay Beach, he found the conditions overwhelming. “I almost fainted because of the heat,” he said.
To stay comfortable, Dr. Gecit increases his water intake, avoids heavy meals, chooses lighter foods, enjoys more ice cream, and spends time in shopping malls and other indoor venues. He also discovered that much of the warm clothing he brought to Qatar was unnecessary and eventually sent it back to Türkiye.
Many other residents described similar habits. Several interviewees said they drink significantly more water during the summer and adjust their diets to include fruits, vegetables, and foods with high water content. Heavy meals, they noted, often leave them feeling sluggish in extreme temperatures.
Meerna Muhanna, a Palestinian clinical dietitian at a medical centre, emphasised the importance of staying hydrated before thirst develops. She advises residents to carry reusable water bottles, set hydration reminders on their phones, and consume water-rich foods such as watermelon, oranges, berries, and fresh vegetables.
“Everyone has their own preferences,” Muhanna said. “But the principle is universal: stay ahead of dehydration.”
Amanda Haddad, a Jordanian student-athlete in Doha, also stressed the importance of preparation during the summer months.
“As a basketball player, the summer heat in Doha can be challenging, but staying hydrated and planning training sessions during cooler hours makes a huge difference,” she said. “It’s all about being prepared and listening to your body.”
Beyond food and hydration, many residents adapt by changing their schedules to avoid peak daytime temperatures. Shopping malls, museums, libraries, and other air-conditioned spaces become popular destinations for families and friends. Weekend visits to beaches, swimming pools, and indoor entertainment venues also offer opportunities to remain active while avoiding the most intense heat.
For many, surviving a Doha summer is not just about enduring high temperatures. It is about finding ways to maintain balance, stay healthy, and continue daily life despite the heat. Whether through hydration, lighter meals, or spending more time indoors, residents across the city continue to demonstrate the resilience that has become a defining feature of life in Doha.
