Proper hydration is key to comfort when the temperatures soar, says LifeHacker. Water is like a coolant that keeps the body cool — and if you’re sweating it out, it must be replaced. Drink plenty of water (preferably uncarbonated water, which has proven more effective for hydration). Don’t rule out other beverages when you’re trying to keep cool, though; even coffee and beer (in moderation) can aid in hydration. Coffee and other caffeinated beverages tend to increase the body’s temperature, however, temporarily thwarting hydration’s cooling effect, while excessive alcohol intake depletes the body of fluids and nutrients.
Tag: keeping cool
Use Ventilation to Beat the Summer Heat
Last week’s heat wave may have only been a harbinger of what’s to come in August. To beat the heat, proper ventilation is your best strategy, Real Simple says. If you don’t have air conditioning in your home, place fans in the windows facing outward to draw hot air out of the house. Fans can also add to your air-conditioned comfort by circulating the drier, cooler air by adding a gentle breeze inside the home. And you can make your own air conditioner by placing a bowl of ice in front of a fan — and placing yourself in front of that.
Help Pets Stay Cool During the Dog Days
During the “dog days” of summer, remember that all pets can get dehydrated quickly, says Karen Pryor’s Clicker Training blog. Furnish them with plenty of fresh water and shade, avoid exercising them too hard, and keep them indoors in extreme heat. If you see symptoms of overheating such as excessive panting, drooling or weakness, get your pet to a cool place and contact a vet immediately. Keep dogs off of hot asphalt and sand, and never leave any animals alone in a parked vehicle. Car interiors can heat up to dangerous temperatures in minutes even on relatively mild days, putting pets in danger of heatstroke and death.
Make a Splash to Beat the Heat
Water is generally the answer to keeping cool in the summertime — the more, the better, whether you’re drinking it or soaking in it. When it’s hot out, there’s nothing like a splash in in the pool, lake or ocean to really cool off, the Barefoot Nomad says. If all else fails, you can pick up a cheap kiddie pool to soak your feet, or take a run through the sprinkler. Evaporation helps you keep cool, too, so find a spray bottle to mist yourself with when the temps become unbearable. Add botanicals such as lavender or cucumber slices and keep it cold in the fridge — instead of sweaty, you’ll feel like you’ve gone to the spa!
DIY Hacks to Keep Your Place Cool
Air conditioning is a boon when summer’s hot, humid weather becomes unbearable and you need to escape the sun for the most scorching parts of the day. But if you don’t have central air or a window unit (and the local movie theater or coffee shop is closed for the night), you can try making a homemade air conditioner using a fan and a Styrofoam cooler full of ice. LifeHacker also suggests turning window fans toward the outdoors to draw the heat out of your home at night and putting your sheets in the freezer before bed. Also, avoid cooking anything on the stove or in the oven; it’s cookout season anyway!