The heatwave raises all sorts of challenges to our daily routines. Struggling to exercise or know how best to care of your pets? The Irish Times answers some burning questions on how to handle Ireland’s latest hot spell.Can I still exercise?You can keep your evening session at the gym but Dr Suzanne Kelly, deputy medical director of the Irish College of GPs, says exercising in the middle of the day is “not a good idea”.If you’re training for a marathon or a long run, thinking of going for a long walk or tending to your garden, you should do so in the later evening when temperatures cool down.[ Met Éireann issues heat warning for 12 counties with temperatures set to soarOpens in new window ]These activities can all cause a form of heat stress during a heatwave.Kelly says, during a heatwave, your heart rate can increase by 15 per cent compared to exercising in cooler temperatures. In this case “you should stop because your body is stressed” and opt for an evening or early morning workout instead.Is it safer to work from home?Most modern office buildings have air conditioning. Not necessarily.Damien McCarthy, the managing director of HR consultancy firm HR Buddy, says most modern offices are fitted air conditioning and good ventilation systems and in a lot of cases it’s “the safest place to work”.McCarthy says keeping the temperature at the recommended 19 to 23 degrees and making sure blinds are fitted to protect from the heat of the sun are important practices for offices. He recommends avoiding “thermostat wars” – battles with colleagues over what everyone considers the “right” temperature – if you can.As for those working outdoors, McCarthy says employers should engage with their staff on flexible hours in the warm weather. Starting a couple hours earlier than the standard 8am or 9am start time, remaining hydrated and taking breaks during the day can help protect against heat stress.Can I still go to the pub?Yes, but be wise about it, health experts say. Your body won’t tolerate alcohol the same as it always does during a heatwave. Drinking can cause dehydration and impairs your judgment. Alcohol may cause individuals to make decisions such as lying out for long periods in the sun or jumping impulsively into water, Kelly points out.Whether you’re having a cold beer or glass of wine, it should be accompanied by a glass of water.Am I entitled to a glass of water in a pub if I’m not a paying customer? While a bar is not legally entitled to offer free tap water, it is widely accepted as common courtesy. Eoin Lyons, head of marketing and communications for Vintners Federation of Ireland, says water is likely to be offered by the “vast majority”, but pubs still “retain the legal right to refuse service or apply a charge even during extreme weather conditions”.Should I be extra careful when swimming?Eamon McCormack O’Connell dives in for morning swim in Clontarf, Dublin, last month. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire