One of the keys to a successful summer is knowing the best ways to keep cool when the temperatures go up. Learn some great tips that will keep you more comfortable.
Most people really look forward to the summer months, when the temperatures to up enough to let you enjoy the outdoors again. That is, until it gets to be too hot, then they want it to be cool again!
Everyone knows about the air conditioner and you always have the option to turn down the thermostat. However, everyone also knows that you will have to pay for that.
Here are some of the best ways to keep cool and beat the heat so you can more fully enjoy those “dog days” of summer.
1Know the Difference Between Air Conditioners and Fans
The first thing you need to know is that there is a difference between an air conditioner and a fan.
An air conditioner cools the room, fans only cool the people in the room. The air conditioner also removes humidity from the air.
Use the air conditioner (if you have one) to make the house tolerable and to reduce the humidity, then use the fans and some of the other tips to make you more comfortable. This also means you should turn off the fans when you leave the room because they won’t be doing any good.
2Make Your Fan an Air Conditioner
A little ice can do wonders to keep you cool in the summer. Try putting a shallow bowl of ice in front of your fan. The cool air will be much better than just a regular fan. You do want to make sure that you don’t do this when the humidity is too high though.
3Reverse the Fans to Cool the House
If the hot air from the afternoon is trapped inside your house, turn your fans around. One of the best ways to keep cool when this happens is to turn your fans around. If you have a fan on one side of the house blowing out the hot air and a fan on the opposite side of the house bringing in the cool air, you will get maximum cooling results.
4Keep Cool By Losing Your Shoes
Summertime is known for seeing more bare feet than normal and there is a reason for that. When the sweat from your feet evaporates, it cools the blood and skin in your feet. This blood is then moved through your body so you feel cooler all over.
One of the best ways to keep cool is to go barefoot whenever possible.
5Stay Hydrated to Stay Cool
When it gets hot, you sweat. When you sweat, your body loses moisture. As you lose moisture, your body temperature rises. This makes you hot.
Drinking plenty of water is one of the best ways to keep cool. However, don’t make the mistake of relying on alcoholic or caffeinated drinks.
While those are better than not drinking anything, they also cause you to lose water. Good old fashioned water is the best way to stay cool.
6Eat Lighter
Changing the way you eat in the summertime can also help you to stay cool. Of course, you want to avoid using appliances that will add heat to your house, but your food can also keep you cooler.
Fruits, vegetables and salads usually contain more water so they keep you hydrated (see #5). They are also easier for your system to digest. Feeling sluggish because your stomach is working to digest the huge burger just ate will make you even more warmer when it’s hot out.
7Use the Vents to Keep Cool
Frequently, the biggest problem in the summertime isn’t the heat, it’s the humidity. Using the bathroom vents when you take a shower or using the vent over the stove when you boil water will allow that extra moisture to escape from your house.
8Skip the Drying Cycle
Another one of the best ways to keep cool in the summer is to skip the automatic drying cycle. If you’re washing dishes, just open the door and let them dry naturally. You can even consider hanging your clothes instead of running the dryer on days when it’s really hot. If you can’t stop yourself from using these conveniences, you can at least get some relief by not running these machines until the evening when it’s cooler.
9Keep Cool By Changing Your Cooking Routine
You can get relief from the summer heat by changing up your cooking habits. If you have to use the stove, plan ahead and do all your cooking one evening each week. Better yet, use the grill outside. Cooking a bunch of chicken breasts once a week can make quick and easy meals for the rest of the week… and keep your house cooler.
10Block the Sun
In the summertime, you should close the curtains and blinds on the windows that face the sun. It’s even better if the material on the sun side is white, which deflects up to 45% of the suns heat.
There you have it – 10 ways to keep cool in the summer. Now you can focus on enjoying those summer months without being uncomfortable because you’re always too hot!
What Do You Think?
Are there other tricks that you use to stay cool in the summer?
Share this with your friends if you found this article helpful or interesting!
