10 Best Ways to Beat the Heat
The scorching summer heat takes a heavy toll on our bodies, our moods and our electricity bills. However, don’t let the temperature confuse you. These ten tips will help you stay cool even if you think the sun has already set behind you.
10. Drink plenty of water.
You know how important it is to stay hydrated all year round. When you sweat a lot from exercise or the heat of the summer, drinking enough water becomes even more important. As the CDC suggests , think of your body as an air conditioner:
When your body heats up from exercise or the hot weather outside, your indoor air conditioner turns on and you start sweating. And remember, now that your air conditioner is using coolant (your sweat), it’s important to refill the tank – by drinking a lot of H2O.
As with other hydration myths , water isn’t the only option, but it’s free and readily available to most of us. Even if you have to force yourself to drink more water and learn to love the taste of it , you will be much more comfortable if you continue to fill your glass with water.
9. Avoid excessive sweating
For many of us, moisture that causes sweating is the worst time of the year. Even if you don’t have excessive sweating problems , you can control your sweating with a few tricks, such as applying an antiperspirant at night to make it work more effectively, and using breathable clothing materials like cotton.
8. Make your own conditioner.
Running an air conditioner all summer is expensive. You can make your own pseudo-air conditioner cheaply from some basic materials, such as the styrofoam and fan version shown above. Don’t like the way it looks? There are several other DIY cooling options to try.
7. Optimize your fan base.
Did you know that if you run into a fan rather than at night , your room will be cooler and you can sleep more comfortably? Day or night, you can use a thermostat (or build one yourself) to automatically turn the fan on and off based on temperature and literally save energy. If you have a ceiling fan, rotate it counterclockwise (higher “summer” speed) for optimal cooling.
6. Keep food cool and do not use the oven.
Summer can be a great time to eat outdoors, but some foods and drinks are not as pleasant when heated in the sun. You can make a zir pot (aka evaporative cooler) for food and drinks with just two containers, or create blocks of ice for the refrigerator using old cardboard milk cartons . When it’s too hot to cook , consider making cold soups by relying on electrical appliances such as an all-in-one rice cooker , or try these no-cook or no-oven recipes .
5. Exercise comfortably, even in hot weather.
Just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean you need to stop exercising . You can get used to exercising in hot weather and use sensible strategies such as switching to water sports, avoiding the sun’s rays when it is strongest, and exercising in short bursts. Pre-cooling techniques can also prevent overheating during training in hot weather.
4. Optimize your Windows
You may not need to turn on the air conditioner if you pay a little more attention to the windows in the summer . Close windows and use insulating curtains to keep out the sun during the day, and open them at night when the sun goes down. You can also hang a damp towel in front of the window to cool the air entering your home and open opposite windows or windows on the upper and lower floors for maximum airflow.
3. Cool down the machine quickly.
This Japanese trick will get your oven-like machine up to temperature. Lower one window and open and close the opposite door several times to cool the car.
2. Remain calm while you sleep
Summer heat is worst when you are trying to relax a little, because the higher body temperature makes it harder to fall asleep. If you feel sleepless in the summer, cool your head with a pillow like Chillow, sleep on a wet sheet (also known as the “Egyptian Method”), or try one of these strategies in our guide to the best sleep experience or this infographic .
1. Know Your Body’s Best Cooling Points
Finally, if you’re stuck in the heat and can’t find a cooler spot, find out the best cooling points for your body , such as your wrist and neck. By applying ice cubes wrapped in a towel (or any other cold object) to these heart rate points, you will cool faster and more efficiently.
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