The dog days of summer are here! There are lots of home improvements that can help you stay cool. You can improve the insulation in your home. You can increase the shade by your house by building awnings or planting trees. You can upgrade your air conditioning unit. These are all great ideas, but some may be cost prohibitive, or not available depending on your living situation. What about more simple strategies? Here are a few simple suggestions that don’t involve heavy equipment.
1. Hydrate. I’ve said it before, and I am going to say it again: drink more water! Staying hydrated is particularly important when it’s hot, so that you don’t overheat. And, that lovely cool, air conditioned air can also dry you out. So drink more water, and avoid sodas or other beverages that can add unneeded sugar, salt or caffeine to your body. 2. Keep your AC safe. In these pandemic times, many of us want to stay in the cool air conditioned comfort of the indoors. This is a good idea, but be careful with indoor air conditioning—it can cause problems if not used carefully. Make sure that you have your air conditioning unit serviced regularly, and change the filters frequently. Use a high quality, HEPA filter if possible. New research is coming out that shows that virus particles can stay in the air for longer periods of time—circulating through air conditioning units around your place. High quality air filters can stop the virus from circulating. 3. Personal evaporative cooling. I remember when I was growing up my auntie would put a wet handkerchief around her neck. I thought that this looked a bit strange, but as it turns out, this is a really effective way to stay cool. The wetness evaporates and cools off your neck. 4. Hot beverages. I used to have a physical therapist who said, “there’s nothing like a cup of hot herbal tea on a hot day to cool you off.” This sounds counterintuitive, right? I tried it. It was curious! The hot tea made me feel warm briefly, but then I did feel cooler. It’s something to try. You can try hot water with a slice of lemon or lime or a sprig of mint or rosemary if you want to stay away from the tea. 5. Bathe at night. If you have the option, bathing before bed will make you feel cooler and more relaxed. This cooling sensation helps to produce a deep sleep. Getting adequate sleep, in turn, helps your body to function better during the day. So, you will feel cooler at night, and your body will be more efficient at keeping you cooler during the day. 6. Get a fan. Sometimes even just keeping the air moving helps to make you feel a little cooler. The other thing that is great about using a fan, is you might be able to use less air conditioning. Less air conditioning has many benefits—saving you money on your electric bill among them. 7. Keep the light level low. Keeping the drapes drawn and lights low will reduce the amount of warmth that comes from the sun or lamps in your home. These radiant light sources can heat up your home quickly. Some people also invest in light bulbs that don’t radiate as warmly. 8. Avoid cooking with the stove or oven. Many of us avoid cooking altogether, because our kitchens aren’t quite set up to use easily. But, if you are a kitchen person, summer is a good time to get out of the kitchen. Summer is a good time to eat foods that don’t require cooking on a stove top or in an oven. In my family we eat salads and use the slow-cooker more frequently. There are also many restaurants that deliver already prepared meals right to your door. As the increase in consumer demand has gone up with the pandemic, many restaurants and delivery services have increased their offerings and improved the quality of service. Stay cool and be safe!
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