I have never really liked the intense heat of summer (75 degrees is about perfect for me). Growing up in the Midwest, green turned to brown in July under the blazing sun, and was followed by the mugginess of August. Right now much of the nation is battling the heat, along with related drought and fires. I am grateful summers like this one in the Northeast have been rare.<\/p>\n
Though we just received some relief from the smothering heat (thank you, rain), we still have a ways to go. And keeping cool when temperatures reach record highs isn’t just about comfort. Dangerously high temperatures can result in heat-related illnesses ranging from heat cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.<\/b> And since we can’t do much about the weather, the following 15 tips can help you keep cool all summer long:<\/p>\n
1. Alter your pattern of outdoor activity or exercise to take advantage of cooler times (early morning or late evening).<\/b> If you can’t change the time you’re going to be outside, scale it down by cutting back on the hours or minutes, reducing your level of activity (walking instead of running), or decreasing your level of exertion. Now is a good time to find a community pool or head inside for a workout.<\/p>\n
2. Wear loose-fitting clothing, preferably of a light color.<\/b> Black and dark clothing actually absorbs light from the sun, thereby making you hotter when you wear it (and not in a helpful way). Especially for workout gear, this make a big difference in overheating your body or not.<\/p>\n
3. Cotton clothing will keep you cooler than many synthetics because it breathes, but the newer moisture-wicking sports fabrics<\/b> are also helpful. Try using cotton or moisture-wicking undergarments and t-shirts under your outer clothing.<\/p>\n
4. Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the refrigerator<\/b> for a quick refreshing spray to your face after being outdoors.<\/p>\n
5. Fans can help circulate air and make you feel cooler,<\/b> even in an air-conditioned house. They can also reduce your reliance on the a\/c and help prevent utility drains or outages in the summer.<\/p>\n
6. Try storing lotions or cosmetic toners in the refrigerator to use on hot, overtired skin, hands and feet. Witch hazel<\/b> is a great old-fashioned cooling tonic that can still be found in drug stores and markets.<\/p>\n
7. Keep plastic bottles of water in the freezer<\/b> and grab one when you’re ready to go outside. As the ice melts, you’ll have a supply of refreshing, cold water with you.<\/p>\n
8. When possible, take frequent baths or showers with cool or tepid water, or have a cool rinse after a hot shower. <\/b>This helps cool the body temperature down to give you a head start for facing the heat of the day.<\/p>\n
9. Combat dehydration by drinking plenty of water. <\/b>Sports drinks and energy drinks may contain electrolytes, but they also often contain caffeine and sugar which can worsen dehydration so use them with caution. Mixing half water with half a sports drink is another alternative.<\/p>\n
10. Some people swear by carrying a small portable, battery-powered fan<\/b> at all times. There is even a version now which attaches to a water bottle and sprays a cooling mist!<\/p>\n
11. If you’re wearing a cap or hat, remove it and pour a bit of ice cold water into the hat, <\/b>then quickly invert it and place on your head (a trick tennis pros use, if you don’t mind getting your hat or hair wet). Placing a cool, wet cloth on your forehead is a less messy alternative.<\/p>\n
12. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as much as possible<\/b> because they promote dehydration. Caffeine (whether in coffee or energy drinks) is what’s called a diuretic, meaning it promotes water loss in the body. Water is what really helps your body get and stay cool, so keeping as much as possible is generally a good idea.<\/p>\n
13. Instead of hot foods, try lighter summer fare, or small, frequent meals and snacks containing cold vegetables or fruit. This is the perfect time to for salads and raw foods.<\/b> Dairy products can also be cooling and helpful now. As an added benefit, you don’t have to cook next to a hot stove!<\/p>\n
14. If you don’t have air conditioning at home or work, arrange to spend at least parts of the day in a shopping mall, public library, movie theater, or other public space that is cool.<\/b> Many cities have cooling centers that are open to the public on sweltering days.<\/p>\n
15. Finally, use common sense.<\/b> If the heat is intolerable, stay indoors when you can and avoid activities in direct sunlight or on hot asphalt surfaces. Pay attention to and frequently check on the elderly, infants, and anyone with a chronic illness, as they tend to dehydrate easily and be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Don’t forget that pets also need protection from dehydration and heat-related illnesses too, so give them shade, provide plenty of water, and don’t leave them in a car unattended.<\/p>\n
Just in case the theory of global warming turns out to be true, weather like this may continue to occur. Practicing some other simple strategies to cool off besides cranking up the a\/c can help you protect yourself and loved ones while being easier on the environment, too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I have never really liked the intense heat of summer (75 degrees is about perfect for me). Growing up in the Midwest, green turned to brown in July under the blazing sun, and was followed by the mugginess of August….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":181,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\r\n