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1) Most importantly, think water. Water in any medium, for example a drink or shower, will bring immediate relief from the heat. (Read on for more water tips.)
2) Remember to stay hydrated. Drinking water is best because it replenishes fluids lost to perspiration. Try drinking beverages high in electrolytes too. They'll help to make sure that you don't lose vital minerals through sweating.3) Sweat! I know it's kind of gross and smelly, but sweating helps to cool your body. Heat is released and evaporated into the air.
Try wetting wrists and other pulse points with cold water. This will help to cool off the entire body.
4) Get in the water. Don't have a pool? Jump in a friend's. Or, invest in a plastic wading pool and place it under a tree. Grab some sunglasses, suntan lotion, and a great book and you're in business! Check out the U.S. National Park Service's website for a list of National Parks in your area. Many of them have beaches and lakes and they're generally very cheap (about $5 per car).
5) Take a cold shower. Consider decreasing the temperature of the water as you get used to it. If you repeat this until you are sufficiently cool, your body will remain cool for a while after you get out. For people who fear wasting water, plug the drain and recycle the collected water -- wash your dog, water the plants, or clean your car.
6) Hold a cold object to your neck. Even a soda can will work! This helps to cool the blood that is traveling to your brain.
As a great alternative to AC, fill a glass with ice. Hold the glass close to your face and gently blow on it. The air will cool drastically when it reaches the ice cubes, leave the glass, and hit your face. You can try this method on a larger scale too. Try filling one (or multiple) large bottles with ice and place them in front of a fan. In the same way, the air from the fan will cool when it hits the ice bottles. Be sure to put them in a bucket to catch the water as they melt.
7) Eat spicy food. Who'd have thought that hot food can cool you off? But, the food increases your perspiration which cools the body as it evaporates.
8) Dress for the heat. Be sure to wear loose clothing made from natural fabrics (such as cotton, silk, and linen). A lot of the body's heat escapes through the feet, palms, and scalp so by keeping these areas cool (take your hat and shoes off while inside), you'll keep your whole body cool. Lighter colored clothing helps to reflect sunlight and heat.
9) Use mint-flavored lotion or body scrub. It refreshes the skin and gives you a nice cooling sensation.
10) Avoid direct sunlight and try to avoid going outdoors at midday.
If you choose to spend the hotter parts of the day inside, know that warmer air is less dense than cooler air so higher floors of the house get increasingly hotter. The best place to be is in the basement.
11) Keep the air flowing. If you have ceiling or box fans, keep them on. Open the windows in the evening to create a nice cross breeze that circulates the outside air with the inside air. Think about whether or not you want to open the windows during the day. If you shut them early in the morning and pull the shades, you may be able to keep the cool night air inside the house. At the very least, you'll help to block out the relentless midday sun.
12) Turn off electrical heat sources. Stoves, ovens, lamps, and computers can all be sources of heat. Definitely avoid cooking on a hot day. For more ideas on how to avoid heat build-up, check out theU.S. Department of Energy.
13) Remember to think cool. It won't physically make you cooler, but concentrating on polar bears and Alaska may make the heat less overbearing. You can also try taking a vacation or making time for a staycation. Having fun with friends and family may help to keep your mind off of the heat. Check out DIYLife's ideas for a fantasticstaycation.
14) Indulge in a frozen treat. Who knew that beating the heat could be so delicious? For quick and easy popsicles, pour your favorite drink into a paper cup and insert a popsicle stick. Place the drinks into the freezer until frozen. Then, rip away the cups and enjoy!
For more great at-home tips, check out WikiHow. But, sometimes you just really need air conditioning. (Trust me, I've lived in North Carolina!) Turn unbearably hot days into shopping trips to the local mall. Most large stores are all air-conditioned and there's nothing wrong with indulging in some free AC now and then. If you need to work from home, why not bring your computer to an air-conditined coffee shop with free wi-fi? Lastly, if you'd like to have AC in your home and are on a tight budget, check out these tips for paying for it.
No air conditioning? No problem. Stay cool, readers!
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