Now that summer is in full blast, so is your air conditioning. We're currently in the hottest part of the year, July and August are said to be the hottest months out of the twelve. Some people handle heat better than others, and some people really enjoy this part of year, myself being one of them being as I'm always cold, but sometimes it's just too hot. But if you don't like the heat, here's a few things you can do to beat the summer heat.
1. Drink something cold.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!! Take a sip of some ice cold lemonade, water, juice, or tea, but try to limit your intake of soda as that will dehydrate you which could land you in the hospital in serious situations. By drinking something cold, it should help you cool down and help your body stay balanced since you've probably sweated a bunch just walking to your car.
2. Eat something refreshing.
Not only if you drink something cold will it cool you down, but also if you eat something cold, like popsicles or ice cream!! Or some frozen fruit, my personal favorites are frozen grapes and blueberries!
3. Go swimming.
Hit the water! Whether it be the pool, the creek, the river, or a lake, water can always cool you down. But don't forget the sunscreen!
4. Stay inside where there's air conditioning.
Some days it's really just too hot to go outside so stay inside where there's air conditioning. And if you know of someone who doesn't have air conditioning in their home, give them a call and invite them over for some food or just to hang out.
5. Change into cooler clothes.
Maybe this morning it was a little cooler outside so you chose capris and a long sleeve shirt, and now you're sweating even in the air conditioning. Change into shorts and a tank top if you're able to, you'll feel a lot better.
6. Take a shower.
Believe it or not, taking a shower can really affect your body temperature. A colder shower can cool you down, and a warmer shower can heat you up. But be careful when you're taking a shower to cool yourself down, don't make the water ice cold, but instead turn it so it's lukewarm. If you take a cold shower when you're really hot, it's very possible for your body to go into shock, which will land you in the emergency room and no one wants that.
7. Relax in the shade.
Get out of the sun and relax under a big shade tree. Hopefully you'll be able to catch a good breeze and cool off.
8. Bring in extra fans.
Sometimes the air conditioning just doesn't do it all the way. To get a little extra air moving, pull out some fans and kick up the air flow.
9. Cold rags.
Take a washcloth and wet it with some cold water and put it around your neck or forehead or on your wrists, that way it will cool you down faster.
10. Take a nap.
Fatigue often is associated with heat. You're body is working so hard to cool you down that you get tired a lot quicker than usual. Find a quiet, cool spot and let your body recover.
11. Sit in the dark.
Lights give off heat too, sometimes not a lot but they still do. Leave the lights off and just relax, that might help you fall asleep too.
12. Eat and drink the cold stuff.
I know I already said this but since the heat does often fatigue people, it's important to keep energy flowing through your body. So don't skip lunch and grab an extra water before you walk out the door.
These are just a few things you can do to beat the heat this summer. Also, know the signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion since now is the most common time for it to occur. Signs include, throbbing headache, dizziness and light-headedness, lack of sweating despite the heat, red, hot, and dry skin, muscle weakness or cramps, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat, which may be either strong or weak, and rapid, shallow breathing. If you or someone around you is experiencing any of these symptoms, please seek medical attention.
