Take your head out of the freezer and don’t run to the nearest store to buy an AC, because these hot tips will keep you cool all summer long.
Although these tips are not top secret, start by shutting your blinds. 30 percent of unwanted heat comes from windows and something as simple as shades can save up to 7 percent on electricity and reduce heat by 20 percent, especially on South and West-facing walls.
During the day closing off unused rooms is a simple way to keep specific areas cool that you use more frequently, but capitalize on the cooler night hours by letting air flow naturally through your place.
Summer is not the time to whip up a piping hot casserole or roast chicken. Instead, chow down on cool, room-temperature dishes (salads are clutch) to avoid generating any more heat in the house. If hot food is in order, fire up the grill instead of turning on the oven. And swap big meals for smaller, lighter dinners that are easier to metabolize. The body produces more heat after you chow down on a huge steak than a platter of fruits, veggies, and legumes.
Keep it simple and sit back, no one likes being hot and sweaty, keep your body temperature down during the day by planning more active events and errands in the evening as well as drink water and cold drinks.
Enjoy alcohol responsibly as it does increase sun sensitivity which can lead to increasing chances of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Alcohol and swimming is a bad combination because it slows down reactions making it more difficult to get yourself out of trouble especially in the ocean. It also numbs the senses, particularly sight, sound and touch making swimming difficult. The Drowning Prevention Charity, RLSS UK state that about a quarter or all adult drowning victims have alcohol in their bloodstream.
Water isn’t the only cold thing you can stuff in your maw when things get a little too toasty. Enjoy ice cream, popsicles and shakes for a tasty cold treat.
Get a leg up on hydration by drinking a glass of water before bed. Tossing and turning and sweating at night can result in dehydration, so get some H20 in the tank beforehand. Just eight ounces will do the trick, unless you’re really into those 3 a.m. bathroom runs.
Another tip if you are tired of tossing and turning in the heat at night is to save the ooh-la-la satin, silk, or polyester sheets for cooler nights. Light-colored bed linens made of lightweight cotton (Egyptian or other) are breathable and excellent for promoting ventilation and airflow in the bedroom. Also stick sheets in a plastic bag and place them in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes before bed.
Cool down a whole room by hanging a wet sheet in front of an open window. The breeze blowing in will quickly bring down the room’s temperature.
When you are ready to unplug at night…. Unplug! As in, literally disconnect electronics you are not using. Gadgets and other small appliances give off heat, even when turned off. Reduce total heat in the house (and save energy) by keeping plugs out of sockets when the appliances are not in use.
Fans don’t so much “cool” the air as they keep air moving around, which, as it moves over your skin and helps your sweat evaporate, makes you feel cooler than you would be if the air were still. Now that you know that, position a fan across from a window, so the wind from outside and the fan combine for an awesome cross breeze, drawing in cooler air from one part of your home (or outside) and pushing the warm air elsewhere.
Those ten little piggies are pretty sensitive to temperature because there are lots of pulse points in the feet and ankles. Cool down the whole body by dunking your feet in cold water before heading to bed. The fastest way to start shivering in 90-degree heat is to dip your toes into freezing cold water. Add some ice if you’re brave, but don’t overdo it. Quickly immersing your feet in ice-cold water can be painful — although I suppose it would take your mind off the heat.
A cold shower takes on a whole new meaning come summertime. Rinsing off under a stream of cold water brings down the core body temperature and rinses off sweat so you can hit the hay feeling cool and clean.
To turn down the heat a notch and look fabulous at the same time, be smart about your fashion sense. If strapping ice packs to your torso is a little too strange for you, however, consider cooling fitness clothing.
Less is definitely more when it comes to summertime jammies. Pick a loose, soft cotton shirt and shorts or underwear. Going commando during a heat wave is (unsurprisingly) controversial. Some people believe it helps keep them cool, while others claim going au natural means sweat stays on the body instead of being wicked away by fabric. Chalk this one up to personal preference.
As August continues to heat up, it’s hard to stay cool during the summer especially without AC, but if your ancestors survived without air conditioning, so can you. From sipping tasty iced drinks to applying a cold cloth to strong-pulsed areas like your neck and wrists, cooling yourself from the inside out helps you go from heatwave to waving goodbye to the heat. Have a Great Summer and Stay Cool!
