For most people, summer means fun outings, barbecues, and having a dip in the pool. However, there are days when summer isn’t so fun, including those scorching hot summer days. Keeping cool when temperatures soar isn’t just about ensuring comfort—it’s crucial for your health as dangerously excessive temperatures can lead to heat-related health risks, ranging from heat cramps to heat stroke.
That said, check out the following methods to help you cool off and beat the summer heat.
Use Your Air Conditioner Wisely
If you need to use your air conditioning unit, make sure to set its thermostat between 24 and 27 degrees Celsius or as high as you like. However, keep in mind that increasing your thermostat even by just a mere degree can reduce your running while still making your home feel colder. However, if you’re looking to upgrade your air conditioner, make sure they have an energy-star rating.
Choosing one with the rating can help you cool down while saving the planet—and don’t forget to have the air-conditioning installation handled by a professional for the best results.
Use Portable and Ceiling Fans
If you don’t want to use your air conditioning or HVAC unit all the time and save on energy bills but still want to cool down for the summer, portable fans and ceiling fans are excellent choices. These two serve as great stand-ins whenever your home’s air conditioning and HVAC system act up. Although they can’t offer soothing cool air like a standard air conditioner, they’ll provide a breeze, which you can improve by placing a bowl of ice in front of the fans.
You can also use ceiling and portable fans to run concurrently with your air conditioner since these two circulate throughout your space, easing the burden on the air conditioner.
Block the Heat
Preventing the scorching heat from getting into your home in the first place is one of the best ways to cool down during summer, helping you become cooler while reducing your energy bills. You can do this by adding shade or in door blinds to your windows and walls as external coverings or a couple of large potted indoor plants, keeping the space cool and refreshing. It’s best if you also consider planting deciduous trees to cast some shade over your property.
Consider Window Treatments
When the sunlight penetrates through the windows, it generates a lot of heat, making your life unbearable in the summer months. As matter of fact, around 30% of the unwanted usually comes through your windows.
If you want to keep the sun out, sunscreen roller blinds will be suitable to reduce sun glares without blocking out your view completely.
Some blinds are also made to allow you enjoy the view outside while blocking the harsh rays from the sun. Light or white colored blinds will also be better to reflect light and heat away from the house. If you also have dark and thick blinds, you can close them to only trap the heat in the house.
Take Cold Showers and Use Ice Packs
It isn’t the best choice to ignore signs that your HVAC or air conditioner units need repair, especially before the onset of summer. So, make sure to always have it regularly maintained. However, if your unit does break down, go back to the basics and beat the heat by taking a cold and relaxing shower. Doing this not only lowers your body’s core temperature, but it can also invigorate your skin, improving blood circulation—keeping you relaxed, cool, and healthy.
Another cooling method you can do is using ice packs, which will likely become your go-to when the temperature reaches an all-time high during summer and you’re desperate to keep cool. It’s best to place ice packs on pulse areas on your body, including the wrists, neck, temples, and groin, for the best results.
Additionally, using a body-fitting ice vest is ideal as it can keep your body temperature stable, keeping you cool and preventing dehydration.
Use Light Bedding
Getting quality sleep and rest can be challenging when you’re hot, sweaty, and are tossing or turning in bed. If your air conditioning unit isn’t working, you’ll likely be having a hard time getting through the night, keeping you up and uncomfortable. That’s why to beat the heat and help yourself rest properly—you need to switch your old beddings with lighter versions, such as soft cotton and breathable sheets. During hotter-than-normal nights, remove your comforter, as a sheet is all you’ll need.
Change Your Lightbulbs
If your house seems not to be cooling down efficiently even with your fans and air conditioning unit on, and you can’t work out why you can’t cool down your home, conventional incandescent light bulbs may be the reason behind this. That’s because these light bulbs produce a lot of heat, making any space hotter gradually, so it’s best to switch to energy-efficient bulbs, keeping your home cool and your energy costs low.
Chow Down on Spicy Foods
Although this may sound counterproductive, there is a reason behind this unusual method. That’s because eating spicy food can help your body naturally cool down by sending a flush of heat throughout your body, making your skin sweat. Once the air makes contact with your sweaty body, it’ll begin to cool down the temperature, helping keep you cool.
Although summer is the time of relaxation and taking a break from everyday life, it also lets you deal with scorching hot summer days, leading to discomfort and heat-related health risks over time. Luckily, there are plenty of ways for you to cool off—and the strategies mentioned are some of the easiest ones you can do right now.
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