No AC? No problem – here are 10 other ways you can keep cool this summer
When we think of summer our minds tend to drift to beach trips, festivals, and picnics in the park. We’re very happy to gloss over the less glamorous parts of summer – like the endless sweating and the unbearably hot nights.
If you’re stuck in a sweltering building with no AC, the idea of staying cool seems like an impossible dream. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are 10 things that will help to cool you down this summer.
A Wet Towel on the Neck
Putting something cool on the surface of your skin will cool the blood running past it. This in turn will lower your overall body temperature. Placing a wet towel in strategic places like under your armpits, on the back of your neck, and around the back of your knees will cool you down in no time.
You should also try submerging your feet and hands in cold water.
Cold Drinks
Cold drinks filled with ice may seem obvious, but lots of people skip over them because they take a little more effort to prepare.
These drinks can cool you down in two different ways. Drinking the drinks will cool you down. But did you know that you are also cooling yourself down just by holding the cold glass?
Ceiling Fan
If you don’t have AC, that doesn’t mean you can’t use technology to keep you cool. Try installing a ceiling fan. Not only will the fan help to cool the air around it, but it will also create circulation throughout the room. Over time this circulation will lower the temperature of the whole room.
Close Your Blinds
If you can, close your blinds. This will prevent direct sunlight from warming up your rooms. When the sunlight passes through the window glass it is refracted in a way that actually makes it stronger. And therefore hotter.
While closing your blinds might make the room feel a little gloomy, it’s a surefire way to keep your rooms cooler.
Stay Hydrated
The easiest way to keep cool is to sweat. And to do this safely you will need to replace the liquids you are losing. It is recommended that an adult should drink between 1.8-2.5 liters a day. In the summer we should try to drink more than this. Water is a great option for this. Don’t forget that you also lose quite a bit of sodium while sweating.
Avoid Alcohol
Following on from the last point, you should try and avoid drinking beverages that dehydrate you. Classic examples of dehydrating drinks include iced coffee and alcohol. We understand that these are summer staples for most people. So make sure you are upping your water intake to counteract the dehydration from drinks like coffee and alcohol.
If you are fed up with water try cold brewing herbal or fruit tea in your water overnight – this type of drink is just as hydrating but tastes much more interesting.
Laptop Fans
One of the major contributing factors to the heat of our homes is the heat produced by our electronics. Our laptops are particularly guilty of this.
An external set of fans for your laptop will help to cool the machinery and the room. It will also extend the life of your laptop. It’s a win-win situation!
Keep your Skincare in the Fridge
This is a simple tip that will not only keep you looking younger but will also cool you down. By keeping both your morning and evening skincare in the fridge will allow you to apply cool, refreshing creams and gels to your face twice a day.
The cold temperatures will not only cool your body temperature, but they will also help you to look younger. How? Well, as the cold liquids come into contact with your skin, your skin will tighten, giving you a temporary, mini facelift.
Eat Spicy Food
Yes, we know this sounds like a crazy idea, but hear us out.
Hot foods force your body to release the chemical capsaicin. This is something our bodies find irritating and starts to produce excess sweat to try and remove it from our bodies. And as we have mentioned before, this sweat will cool you down.
Do as much as you can in the evening or early morning
Health experts believe that the easiest way to avoid heat-related illnesses is to avoid doing things between 11 am – 3 pm.
They recommend trying to do as much of your socializing as you can after 5 pm when the sun is a lot lower in the sky.
If you are looking to exercise or run errands you should try to complete these activities before 10 am. This will mean that you are not being exposed to the sun when it is at its strongest.
Barry Lachey is a Professional Editor at Zobuz. Previously He has also worked for Moxly Sports and Network Resources “Joe Joe.” He is a graduate of the Kings College at the University of Thames Valley London. You can reach Barry via email or by phone.
