- You don’t need an air conditioner to stay cool in a heatwave.
- Resort to the most classic cool-down strategy — a cold shower.
- Keep yourself hydrated, it’s better than trying to cool yourself from the outside in.
Summer is here and it’s been a month since temperatures and humidity spiked. The most obvious thing to do in summer is to try and stay cool. “Take a chill pill” quite literally as people would call it!
However, over 20 million people have experienced the Northwestern heatwave and are wondering how to stay cool. In a situation like this where most can just turn on their air conditioning, many others may not have that option. But if you have an air conditioner at home and are looking to save some money on your electric bill, here are a few easy, free — or at least cheap — ways to stay cool, even without an AC.
Take a cold shower
Taken over by the heatwave haze? You can always fall back on the most classic cool-down strategy—the cold bath. It won’t cost you a dime to fill your tub with cool water—aka your mini-swimming pool.
You should start by getting your hair wet for obvious reasons of course! You need your head to cool off first. Then hop in and don’t be afraid to linger. Bring a beverage and a book with you and hang out till you cool down. And if you want to take your cold bath up a notch, add two hints of peppermint essential oil to it.
Drink lots of cold water
In the heat of the summer, ensure to regulate your body temperature by stuffing your body full of cooling foods and fluids. It’s more effective, less time-consuming and less expensive! Yes, even better than trying to cool yourself from the outside in. Keep a few bottles in the fridge—or not—it’s up to you! However, when you’re hot and flushed, stay hydrated when you’re thirsty, you’ll be fine.
Pop up frozen delights
If you don’t want to limit yourself to boring old ice water—try other, icy, chilled treats that’ll help you stay cool. Water isn’t the only cold thing you can stuff in on when things get a little too toasty. Crush some ice or bust out the sheet pan and make yourself a tasty slushie.
They’re proven to boost your heat endurance on super-hot days! And if you’re a health freak you can try these protein-packed popsicle recipes to cool off while also getting the nutrition you need for your fitness goals. You might have to spend a dollar or two on popsicle flavors or proteins and that’s all you’ll have to spend on.
Build a fan fortress
Fans cool the air as much as they keep it moving around! You will feel cooler than you would if the air were still. That’s for sure!
So, ensure to set up your fans in your hallways to get that awesome cross breeze, wherein the fans draw in cooler air from one part of your home while pushing warm air elsewhere.
Block out the sun
One of the best ways to make sure your home stays cool in the summer is to block the sun out. Apart from a fan fortress, consider investing in some heat-blocking curtains to keep the sunlight from turning your apartment into a greenhouse.
Once it starts to get a little cooler outside around dusk, you’ll be able to open those curtains and windows. The cool air comes in, the warm air goes out, and everyone’s happy!
