Eleven Simple Ways to Beat the Heat in the Summertime

Most people enjoy summer because it means you can finally spend time getting some sun at the beach. But unfortunately, summertime sometimes comes with an uncomfortable heat that makes it difficult to stay outside for long. Additionally, that heat travels into your home, forcing your air conditioning to work harder just to keep your house cool.

Getting overheated is uncomfortable and can lead to health problems. If you’re not staying hydrated, you could actually get sick from staying in the heat for too long. Additionally, extreme heat can make medical conditions worse, so it’s always best to keep your body cool when the temperature is hot. Luckily, you don’t have to let the summer heat get the best of you this year; here are a few ways you can beat the heat this summer.

One – Use Water on Your Skin

Whether you’re at the beach or the pool, spend some time IN the water to keep your skin moist as this will help keep you cooler. And even though you may not have a pool at home, you can use this trick to keep cool inside. Use a cool, damp cloth on your neck or wrists. And if you’ll be spending an extended time outdoors, consider a cooling towel!

Two – Drink More Water

Whether you’re running on the trails or hanging out on your balcony, you need to stay hydrated in the summertime. Of course, you can always pour water on your head when you’re too hot, but the best way to cool your body down is by activating its own natural cooling system. Drinking lots of water on hot days can help your body cool down internally so you’ll feel colder even when you’re hanging out in the sun.

Remember, that if you’re very thirsty, you may already be on the way to dehydration. So, consider adding electrolytes to your water.

Three – Find Shade

Everyone needs to spend a little bit of time in the sun every day to get the necessary vitamin D. However, you don’t need to spend hours in the summer heat. If you feel like you’re getting overheated while outside, find shade so your body can start cooling down. If you can’t find shade when you’re outside, make your own shade by wearing a hat. Or carrying a UV blocking umbrella.

Remember, too, that even if your home is air conditioned, sun streaming in the windows can heat up the room by several degrees. This is also a great reason to close your blinds or even add some blackout shades to your bedroom.

Four – Use a Fan

If you don’t want to use the air conditioning at all, you can put a fan on your desk or floor to help you stay cool. If you’re sweating, the fan will blow air onto your sweat to help your body cool down faster. Consider, too, installing ceiling fans in your home. This will keep the air moving without overtaxing your air conditioner.

Of course, you should always make sure your fan is clean so you’re not blowing dust particles into your face on a hot day.

Five – Freeze Your Sheets in the Summertime

Falling asleep when it’s hot outside can be difficult. One way you can help yourself fall asleep is by putting your sheets in the freezer for an hour or two before going to bed. When you’re ready to go to sleep, you just have to remake your bed to feel the cooling sensation on your body Of course, that sensation will eventually go away as your body heats the blankets back up, but it can be a nice reprieve from an otherwise hot night.

Six – Sleep Nude

The best way to keep yourself cool at night, especially during the summer, is to sleep nude. Clothes force your body to maintain its heat by not letting its natural heat escape. However, by sleeping nude, you can release your natural body heat to keep your body cool. Research has shown sleeping naked also helps you sleep better!

Of course, you should also invest in a cooling comforter or use a thinner blanket that allows heat to escape so that your bedding doesn’t make you feel too hot.

Seven – Don’t Use Your Oven in the Summertime

Using the stove or oven will increase the heat in your home, which can make the temperature go from comfortable to intolerable. That’s why on the hottest days, I like to cook out on the grill. You can also create a lot of great meals using a slow cooker, which doesn’t put out a lot of heat.

Consider, too, eating cold meals – like salads, pasta salads, and sandwiches – on hotter days. Or just order out!

Eight – Skip Heavy Meals

Eating light can help you digest food easier so you won’t feel sluggish in the summer. Fatty foods, such as burgers and junk food, can make your body feel tired and even moody, so you might feel the effects of the summer heat more when you don’t eat well. Instead, eat healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables that will help keep your body cool even while it’s digesting. Additionally, these foods contain water that can help you stay hydrated on even the hottest of summer days.

Nine – Take a Cold Shower

Sometimes it feels like there’s nothing you can do to escape the heat. However, taking a cold shower can make you instantly take that summertime heat away. Not only will you feel better, but you remove dirt and oils while cooling your body off. After your shower, consider not drying off completely and staying damp to help you stay cool for even longer.

Ten – Take Your Layers Off

During the summer, it’s best to wear loose clothing and only one layer to let your skin breathe. If you’re wearing too many layers, the heat cannot escape your clothing. Instead, only wear the clothes you need to wear and skip any layers that can make you hotter. Ultimately, on hot days, the goal should be comfort rather than looking your best, especially if you’re at home.

Eleven – Freeze Your Drinks

There’s nothing better on a hot summer day than always having access to a cold drink. By freezing all of your drinks the night before, you can stay cool all day long. Not only that, but if you freeze water the night before, you can have your very own ice pack to carry around with you on a hot day that you can use to cool down different areas of your body, including the back of your neck. You can freeze just about any drink, including tea and water, or you can start making your own frozen beverages to help you stay cooler for longer.

Staying cool in the summer isn’t just for comfort; getting overheated and losing more fluids than you’re taking in can cause heat exhaustion that can make you sick. Instead of risking your comfort and your health, find ways to avoid getting overheated by keeping your body cool.