As a summer baby, and someone who despises the winter, you can bet that this time of year is my favourite. With summer comes more daylight and more opportunities to bask in the sun and enjoy the heat.
Like most people I spend my summer taking advantage of the nice weather – whether that is going to the beach, amusement park, planning a picnic with friends or going on a hike.
However, we know that the heat can be intense for some people, and many may not be fortunate enough to have an air conditioner or they may be trying to limit its use to save money and energy.
So, with no air conditioner, how can you stand the heat? Well, I’ve devised a list that breaks down my top 10 creative ways to beat the heat this summer.
What Are Some Tips to Help Manage the Heat?
- Go to the Mall. If you don’t want to use your air conditioner, go to a place that does. Your local mall, museums, art galleries, etc. often have their air conditioner blasting to keep its patrons chilled. While not a long-term solution, it is a great opportunity to venture out and enjoy these attractions with your friends and family while staying cool.
- Time Your Excursions. Typically, temperatures reach their highest point in the afternoon due to the sun’s peak at noon. To make the most of your activities, it is recommended to plan them before 11 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Although this may limit your options, popular summer activities such as hiking or picnicking can be done at dawn or dusk, avoiding traffic during mid-day. If outdoor activities are planned during mid-day, be sure to stay hydrated and stay in the shade as much as possible to avoid the extreme heat.
- Pack an Umbrella. Speaking of shade, when going out, be sure to pack an umbrella. While we typically only use an umbrella to protect us from the rain, it can also help in protecting us from the sun’s UV rays. Consider packing it with you whenever you go out. The more you use it for shade, the more natural the instinct becomes to bring it along with you on a hot summer’s day.
- Change Your Outfits. When I mention changing your outfit, I don’t simply mean wearing a skirt, shorts, tank top, or flip flops, but rather the materials of your clothing. Light-weight, and breathable fabrics like linen or cotton can help keep your body cool rather than synthetic materials like nylon, polyester, or spandex.
- Eat Spicy Foods. It may sound counterintuitive to eat spicy foods in the summer, but it can work. How? Well, when we eat spicy foods, we tend to sweat, which helps keep you cool. By eating spicy foods we’re alerting our body to cool down – you’ll also be prompted to drink water which could also help to cool you down.
- Add a bit of Ice. If you don’t have an air conditioner, try placing a bowl of ice in front of a rotating fan. As the ice evaporates, the fan will help to circulate the cool air.
- Embrace Your Inner Child. You’re never too old to run through a sprinkler, go to a waterpark, or have a water balloon fight. Gather a group of your friends and enjoy these water activities to help keep everyone cool.
- Have an Icy Treat. While embracing your inner child, purchase a bunch of frozen treats to help keep you cool. If you’re looking for something that uses natural ingredients, consider making your own popsicles. Not only is it a fun activity to do with kids, it’s also a creative way to repurpose some of your fresh ingredients laying around your kitchen.
- Keep your Beauty Products in the Fridge. This was a trick I learned from my mom and sisters. Growing up I noticed that they had their concealers, lotions and other beauty products in the fridge. When I had asked why they did that, they told me that it was a beauty hack they learned that not only preserves the products, but also provides a cooling sensation when applying it on their face.
- Cold Shower. The simplest and easiest recommendation of them all. Sometimes a refreshing cool shower is what you need to beat the heat.
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