With summer coming in and the weather heating up, everyone is looking for some fun and unique tips for staying cool. Even if you have air conditioning, the heat can still sometimes put a damper on your plans, so we’ve decided to come up with a list of our favorite things to do to beat the summer heat.
Go Swimming: Nothing cools you off like a nice day of swimming. Whether you have your own pool, become friendly with the neighbors who do, head to the local community pool or jump in a lake – you can’t help but instantly feel better as soon as you take a swim. But remember: wear sunscreen or this tip could make things worse!
Wear Light Colored Clothing & Hats: Dark fabrics such as black, brown, red, purple, and navy blue all attract and absorb the heat from the sun. Lighter colors such as white and most pastels will help you reflect the sun’s rays and help you stay cooler. It also helps to wear all cotton clothing, as it helps with staying cool also.
Drink Lots of Liquids: When the weather is hot, it’s very easy to become dehydrated quickly. Stay away from caffeinated or high sugar content drinks, since they will actually increase your thirst and instead opt for good old water. You could also try making some of your favorite summer time cool drink recipes, like some fresh squeezed lemonade.
Use Fans: Even with air conditioning, fans will always help you cool off as they help circulate the air even more. The bigger and more powerful the fan the better, though expect there will also be more noise associated with those types. The Lasko 20-Inch Cyclone Pivot Fan
Visit the Library: Most libraries are air conditioned, so going there during the hottest part of the day is a great way to cool off and dive into a great new book. Check to see what types of summer programs or activities they have for the kids, and you might even be able to take a nice break!
Turn off the Lights & Unused Appliances: Lights, computers, and televisions all add heat to a room – so by turning them off you can avoid overheating. Needless to say, it’s also not a good idea to cook or bake on very hot days. Microwaves are preferred to conventional ovens as they can do not produce any heat.
Insulate Properly: If you are running the air conditioning, you’ll want to make sure that your home is properly sealed to keep the cold air in. The same measures you take in the winter can help keep the cold air inside.
Stay in the Shade: If you must be outdoors, avoid being in the direct sun when possible – if you are, be sure to wear sunblock. If you don’t have a lot of shade over your home or yard, consider planting trees that will do that in the years to come.
Eat Something Cold: Ice cream, popsicles, gelatos, and all of our other favorite frozen treats can help you cool down. Make your own popsicles with juice or consider getting an ice cream maker and it can also be inexpensive and a fun way to entertain the kids!
Take a Shower: Taking a shower with cool water will help you feel cooler and stay refreshed. The sprinklers in the yard can work just as well.
Use Cold Compresses: A wet wash cloth or towel can be a nice soothing way to stay refreshed. You can also place the towel in the freezer if you’d like.
The summer heat doesn’t have to be unbearable. What tips for staying cool in the summer do you have to share?