How do you stay cool in the summer?

12 Practical and Affordable Ways

I’m not too fond of the hot summer heat. We don’t all have access to a swimming pool flowing with cool water. Whenever summer comes around or if I’m traveling to a hot climate, I try to find the best way for keeping cool the entire time. I will share some of those strategies with you. keep reading to find out.

Like winter for some, summer isn’t always the favorable season for everyone. There are moments when the sun is warm and cozy and other moments when it is uncomfortably hot. To survive the discomforts that arise from frequent exposure to direct sunlight, we must think of strategies to keep ourselves and our homes cool in the summer. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay cool in hot weather, search no further!

The straight answer is this!

You can employ several strategies to keep yourself, your family, and your home cool in the hot weather. Some include drinking lots of water, turning off all heat-emitting devices when not in use, abstaining from the sun for as long as possible, refrigerating your beddings, and wearing loose clothes made of breathable fabrics.

In this article, we will enlighten you on numerous practical and affordable ways that you can use to stay cool in hot summer and hot weather in general. As a bonus, we will reiterate the necessity of keeping cool in hot summer. Read on and be enlightened!

12 Practical and Affordable ways to keep yourself cool in the hot summer?

One of the most practical ways to stay cool in the hot summer heat is to purchase an Air Conditioning appliance. This can be a window AC Unit, mini-split or central air system. Although very effective, purchasing and paying for cooling energy consumption is quite expensive. As such, we’ll focus on 10 practical but affordable ways to stay cool in the hot summer heat.

1. Use battery-powered fans

When it’s a hot day, using a portable fan can wok wonders and help you feel cooler. Portable fans are small and easy to move, so you can take them with you wherever you go.

Although they can’t quite replace air conditioning, Battery-powered fans work by blowing cooler air around your body. The air movement helps to evaporate the sweat on your skin, which lowers your body temperature and makes you feel cooler.

2. Drink a lot of water to stay hydrated, especially in dry heat

This is a point that can never be over-emphasized. It is of vital importance that you increase your water intake during hot summer. Your body is largely composed of water needed for homeostasis to maintain your body temperature. 

Without sufficient water intake, you risk dehydration and developing other health issues like gall bladder stones. So, drink a lot of cold water to keep yourself cool and let your organs function properly. Furthermore, make a habit of drinking water before going to bed in the summer.

3. Wear loose clothes made with breathable materials.

Clothes made with breathable materials like cotton and linen are perfect for use in the summer heat. They should be loose and lightweight to avoid accumulating heat. 

Those made with cotton are perfect because they are breathable and can easily absorb and evaporate any sweat from your body. So, be sure to use only light night wears and beddings made with breathable materials like cotton and linen.

4. Use sun shades and hats and sunscreen.

During extremely hot weather, it is advisable to limit your outdoor events and movements when the sun is at its peak. However, since it is not totally avoidable, you should make a habit to use sun shades and hats to keep yourself as cool as possible. Don’t forget to apply and reapply sunscreen as needed while in the sun to beat the heat.

Additionally, you can grab a cool treat like ice cold water, preferably a sugar-free beverage alongside your sun shade and hat on your way out.

5. Eat hydrating fruits all summer long

If drinking a lot of water poses a challenge, try balancing it by eating many hydrating fruits like melon, cucumber, and oranges. You cannot go wrong with coconut water either. It is best to chill them before eating so that they can keep you cool on a hot summer afternoon.

6. Drink ice smoothies and let your kids have ice popsicles or ice cream.

A cup of cold smoothies will do wonders to your body on a hot summer afternoon. Besides, it is very convenient to carry about if you have a couple of outdoor events.

You can make a hot summer afternoon exciting for your kids by letting them eat popsicles or ice cream. Although smoothies are a great option, most kids would rather have popsicles. This will make them happy and keep them cool at the same time.

7. Avoid hot foods, spicy foods, and hot drinks

Hot and spicy food and hot drinks can all make you feel hotter in the summer. A hot drink like hot coffee or tea is not a great idea during the summer. They increase your body temperature and make it harder for you to cool down. It’s best to choose the cold version of those drinks such as ice coffee and ice tea.

It’s best to avoid these foods in the summer to stay cool and more comfortable.

8. Replace your blankets with light cotton sheets

It is not convenient to use blankets on a warm summer night, seeing you are already hot enough. You can use light cotton sheets if you need to cover yourself.

9. Avoid sugary drinks and diuretics.

It is not advisable to consume diuretics like caffeine in a hot summer. Sugary beverages should also be avoided, even if they are cold.

10. Refrigerate your beddings before bed

Although it sounds weird, some people have testified that it is quite effective, especially for those who sweat a lot on warm summer nights and have difficulties sleeping. All you need to do is to refrigerate your beddings for about 30 minutes before sleep and experience the magic of sleeping cool, even on a hot summer night.

11. Cool your pressure points or pulse points with an ice pack

Use ice packs on your pressure points like your ankles, wrists, neck, temples, and elbows. This will keep you cool.

12. Limit your use of antiperspirants (deodorant)

We usually sweat more in hot summers due to the intense heat. Although it is tempting to use more antiperspirants to prevent it, letting your body sweat out all excess salts and waste while regulating your temperature is advisable and healthier. 

Another significant way to keep yourself cool in hot summer is to keep your home cool.

How do you keep your home cool in the summer heat?

Besides using an AC to blow cold air in your space, you can keep yourself cool in extreme heat by limiting hot air or heat generating devices, doing any or all of the following:

1. Keep all bulbs off during the day.
2. Use low heat emitting bulbs.
3. Only turn on and use electrical appliances when need be.
4. Place ice cubes in several glass bowls or bottles in your home’s most frequently used rooms.
5. Switch your window opening routine: Generally, most people keep their windows open during the day and close them in the evening. If you are in that category, reverse this routine to keep cool in the summer heat.

That is, keep your windows tightly shut during the day when the sun is at its peak and only open them in the evening for cool air to get in and circulate in your home.

Additionally, you can place a fan by the open window in the evening to send in fresh cool air and send out hot air.

Why must you stay cool in the hot summer?

It is very important and necessary to cultivate habits that will aid you in staying cool in hot summer and beating the heat. The human body functions well when everything is in its right proportion. Extreme cold (in cold winter) and extreme heat (in hot summer) are not favorable for the human body. 

As such, you must stay cool in summer to avoid all the negative effects of intense heat on your body, including; heat stroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, aging, and restlessness. 

Conclusion

As discussed in this article, there are different ways to stay cool in hot summer. Some are more affordable than others, and some are easier to do than others. You can go the expensive way by leaving your air conditioner on throughout the summer, or you can choose to go the more affordable way by refrigerating your beddings, keeping your pressure points cool, and doing several other strategies described above.

Whichever you choose, you must always remember to keep yourself hydrated by consuming water and hydrating fruits. This will help you avoid heat strokes, dehydration, and other heat-related and water-deficient illnesses associated with hot summer.

Thanks for reading to the end!