Beat the Heat Through Hydration

To beat the heat in the middle of an ongoing worldwide heat wave, the first rule is to stay hydrated. Drinking two to four glasses of water every hour is recommended when facing temps in the 90s and 100s, because the human body needs to keep sweating to stay cool. Eat small meals made up of mostly fruits and vegetables, The New York Times advises; proteins and salty foods cause increases in internal metabolic temperatures. Also avoid alcoholic beverages and coffee to feel cooler, since both can cause temporary increases in blood pressure and body temperature.

Make the Most of the Rest of Your Summer

Symbolically, at least, July 4th marks the middle of summer. If your local schools let out before Memorial Day, that’s pretty accurate — you’ve already spent about six weeks of the season, and there are probably about six more to go before school starts again.

Even if your schedule is no longer dictated by a school calendar, you may feel like the clock is ticking on your summer fun. The warm weather is likely to stick around until September and October even in the Northern climes, but the pressure is on.

The answer? Get organized and make the most of what’s left of your summer!

Grab a calendar — a paper one, if possible. Is there a trip you’ve been meaning to take? Book your airline tickets or get the oil changed ahead of that road trip. Are there friends you’ve been meaning to invite over for a cookout? Text them or send an electronic invite, and pencil them in.

On a tight budget? And Then We Saved offers 23 ways to make the most of your summer, including finding a swimming hole, going camping or volunteering. Tackling your to-do list and joining a team are other suggestions, alongside just kicking back in a hammock.

If you want to improve your home while it’s nice enough to keep the windows open, consider taking a summer day to do a good decluttering. There’s no time like the present to sell, donate or trash the extra stuff that’s been spilling out of your closets since last summer.

Lifehack suggests a range of thrifty summer activities such as being a tourist in your own hometown and going for a nature walk. And while you’re at it, the site says, take lots of pictures so you can create fond memories of summer 2018.

It isn’t your imagination: The clock is ticking — just as it always is. But summer has that added connotation of “fun in the sun” and “vacation” that makes you want to pack all of the fun activities you can into a few short months.

Make a list of the summery things you want to do, and start checking them off, one by one. Don’t waste another minute if you want to make the second half of your summer even more magical than the first!

Stock Up for Summer at the Thrift

Are you short on shorts? Lacking in linens? Generally unprepared to handle the summer heat? Check your local thrift store for lightly used garments that can help you keep your cool when the temperatures (and humidity) climb into uncomfortable territory. With a little browsing, you can stock your summer wardrobe at the fraction of the cost of retail, and since many thrifts are supplied by donations to ClothingDonations.org, shopping at them helps fund a wide range of veterans’ programs. And if you have summery items that you just don’t fit your current style, you can contact ClothingDonations.org for a pickup, too!

Dressing for the Summer Sun

Hot, humid weather is gripping much of the nation. To maintain relative comfort during summer outings, pick the lightest-weight fabrics and colors, Stitch Fix says. Think shorts, light skirts and sleeveless tops in whites and pastels, and fabrics that breathe such as cotton, linen and rayon. “Take a take a pass on polyester (not known for its breathability) and silk,” the story says, and opt for loose-fitting clothes to keep those sweat stains away. Seersucker and eyelet weaves are solid choices for summer.

Looking Forward to Fall

Many adults look at the end of summer as an occasion for sorrow, as if the onset of cooler weather negates the possibility of fun altogether. But while summer Friday office hours and pool time may not be in the cards for many Americans as fall arrives, there are ways to “reframe” the change of seasons in a positive light, the Huffington Post says. You can look forward to sweater weather, football and apple picking, as well as new seasons of your favorite TV shows. If all else fails, plan a trip — the anticipation alone will keep your spirits high as the daylight hours dwindle.