1. BE CREATIVE.
If you thought fans are just for blowing hot air around, think again! Point box fans out the windows so they push hot air out, and adjust ceiling fan settings so the blades run counter-clockwise, pulling hot air up and out instead of just twirling it around the room.
2. FEEL THE FREEZER BURN
Stick sheets in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes before bed. We recommend placing them in a plastic bag first. Granted, this won’t keep you cool all night, but it will provide a brief respite from heat and humidity.
3. SOAK YOUR FEET
Again, because blood runs close to the skin’s surface around your feet and ankles, cooling off your tootsies is a great way to bring down your body temperature fast. Create a cooling foot soak by filling a shallow dish with cool water. Add a little Epsom salt and eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil to increase the therapeutic effect.
4. WINDOW FILM
Another cost-efficient way to beat the heat is to cover your windows with heat-deflecting window film. These coverings are far less expensive that cloth or woven shades and while they can be difficult to install on your own, two people working together can get the job done fairly easily.
5. USE A DAMP CLOTH
Drape a damp towel or other light cloth over the front of a box fan and position it to blow directly on you. Air passing through and around the moist cloth will feel cooler than it would with the fan working solo. You can also hang damp sheets in front of your open windows to cool down the summer breeze as it enters your home.
6. MAKE COLD PACKS
In preparation for really hot days, make up a few cold packs and keep them in the freezer. When you get overheated and need to cool off fast, it can be as easy as taking out one of these ready-made compresses, wrap it in a small towel to prevent freezing your skin, then lay the pack over pulse points in your neck, wrists, feet, or anywhere else blood runs close to the surface of your skin. Your core temperature will drop several degrees within minutes, providing instant relief throughout your entire body.
7. WEAR LOOSE CLOTHING
Just as the type of material is important when choosing what to wear in the summertime, the fit of your clothing can make a big difference in keeping your core body temperature within a comfortable range. Loose-fitting clothing also increases air circulation over your skin, releasing trapped heat and helping sweat – your body’s natural cooling mechanism – to do its work.
8. OPT FOR COTTON
Natural fibers like cotton allow air to circulate around the body while synthetics like polyester trap heat against skin. During the warmer months, opt for cotton over synthetics whenever possible to maintain a comfortable body temperature. Also, cotton sheets are especially effective for staying cool at bedtime.
9. CHEW PEPPERMINT
Peppermint is one of the easiest herbs to grow – so easy, in fact that you’ll probably have to keep it in a container just to prevent it from taking over your garden! On a hot summer day, break off a leaf or two and chew them. The minty oils released from the crushed leaves will permeate your airways, offering a nice cooling effect with every breath you take.
10. TAKE COOL SHOWERS
Ignore the negative connotation often associated with this advise and take a cold shower when you need to cool off. Stand under the water for at least five minutes and be sure to target areas like the insides of wrists and elbows, underarms and the back of your neck where blood vessels are closer to the surface. This will rapidly drop your core temperature while you bathe.