By Jessica Isaac

I woke up this morning to the news that my daily routine may start getting a bit more challenging. See, I like to put on my running shoes and hit the pavement for a jog as early as possible, mostly to avoid heat exhaustion, but also to take advantage of that sweet spot between being awake, yet not alert enough to talk myself out of it.

Here was the news I received from the National Weather Service: “Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect. Maximum temperatures will reach 102 to 108 degrees in many locations in the valleys of Los Angeles.”

It was 8am and the temperature was already 90 degrees and steadily climbing. If I was going to stay true to my cardio commitment, I would need to be prepared. Surely, I should drink at least double my morning intake of 12 ounces of water, so I filled up my Brita filter pitcher as I guzzled my first glass.

{Source: Enid Martindale}

Then there was the air conditioning. I should make sure the AC was on so I would cool down quickly before my post-run shower. Check. With all my ducks in a row, it was time to muster up the motivation and brave the heat. 30 minutes later, feeling sweaty but accomplished, I resumed my usual workday in a comfortable 76 degrees with a tall glass of cold water.

So why am I telling you this? It’s not an attempt to brag about my “disciplined” exercise routine or my central AC.

It’s easy to forget that certain comforts we’ve come to expect as US citizens are not naturally occurring. Rather, they are luxuries that the whole of the human race is not afforded. This morning, the National Weather Service advised me to, “take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside [and] when possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening [and] drink plenty of water.”

What if a strenuous 4-6 mile walk in the direct sunlight was the only way anyone in my household could drink water? What if I didn’t have a cool, indoor space to recover when I began to overheat?

According to World Vision, during Niger’s hot season temperatures regularly reach 50 degrees Celsius (that’s 122 degrees Fahrenheit!). Nigerien women make this blazing 4-6 miles trek everyday with heavy buckets of water just to provide their families with barely enough water to survive the day.

If you are living in comfortable temperatures or enjoying a hydrating beverage in these continually sundrenched weeks, try not to take it for granted. Consider donating to help drill a well in a rural village in Niger that lacks easy access to a clean water source.

Save