No doubt about it, summer is in full swing. With sunny days and sweltering heat waves all I want to do is stand in the frozen food section of my grocery store. Since that’s not usually the best option, here are some of my other favorite ways to stay cool when the mercury rises:
- Limit sun time. It’s best to limit your sun exposure between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. each day. That can be hard to do when summer fun beckons, but you should try to avoid exercising, sitting, and walking around in the midday sun. When you’re outside during the midday heat, retreat to the shade as much as possible, and remember to drink plenty of water!
- Stay loose. Wear loose-fitting, light-weight clothes to help stay cooler. If you’re out and about, shorts and short-sleeved tops are a great choice. If you’re going on a hike or working outdoors for a long period of time, light-weight, long-sleeved shirts and pants are best since they will protect you from UV rays. Steer clear of synthetic clothes and opt for cotton clothes unless the synthetic clothes were specifically made to reduce heat (check the labels to be sure).
- Pack water. Remember in my first tip I told you to stay hydrated? I wasn’t kidding. Water is essential for keeping your cool when it’s hot. Carry water around with you everywhere you go this summer. Throw a water bottle in the freezer overnight, and the next day you’ll have refreshing ice water that you can refill it as the day goes on. You can also keep a spray bottle of water with you so you can spritz yourself to stay cool.
- Chill out. Need to cool down, stat? Apply ice packs or run cool water over your pulse points at the wrists, neck, elbows, ankles, and behind the knees. You can even DIY a cold compress by filling a sock with rice, tie it off, and stick it in the freezer for an hour or so. The compress will stay chilly for about 30.
Stay cool, my friends.
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