Most college students can agree that getting back into the school grind is a hard transition, but that transition is much worse when you are sweating the equivalent of your body weight. College housing is notorious for many things, but one of the lesser known challenges of housing is having no form of air conditioning. This forces most students to rely on electric fans, bowls of ice, and opening all windows in the house while hoping for a slight breeze. Rather than sweating the small stuff (get it?), I have collected some ingenious, college-level hacks for keeping your cool for the rest of the season.
1. Let There Not Be Light
Blinds, drapes, shutters, bed sheets, and anything that can shield light coming into the house...close them! Exposed sunlight, especially in the afternoon, can raise the temperature to exponential levels, and will make it harder to cool down the room later. If you are going to be away from the house or plan on staying in all day – keep the blinds closed and indoor lighting to a minimum. It might be frustrating to be living in the shadows, but your body temperature will thank you.
2. Cold Case
Sleeping in the heat is considered the worst sleep, not just because of the lack of comfort, but because of the risks associated with a body overheating. Keep your temperature normal, and sleep on track by placing your sheets and pillowcases in the freezer for the day. Cooling off the sheets will not only keep your entire body cool at bedtime, but it will stay cooler throughout the night, which means a better night’s sleep.
3. Drop the Towel
Taking a cold shower is an effective way to cool off the body, but often that coolness is quick relief. Rather than warming up the body by drying off with a thick, heavy towel, use an electric fan. It won’t be the quickest way to get dry after a shower, but mixing cold perspiration with a cool breeze will keep you cooler longer. If you don’t want to take multiple showers a day to achieve this, you can also fill a spray bottle with cold water and mist yourself in front of a fan.
4. Multi-Purpose Packs
College students are thrifty, which means they most likely won’t be purchasing boxes of ice packs to cool them down. Instead of investing in single-purpose packs, try freezing extra water bottles for a cost-effective alternative! This is great because you can grab them from the freezer to put on your neck or wrists to cool down, and once they have melted, you have cold water ready to drink. College thrifting at its finest.
5. But first, water.
Arguably the most important element of staying cool this summer is staying hydrated. Be aware of all the fluids you intake as tea, coffee, juices, milk, and especially alcohol can be extremely dehydrating. The sun is also dehydrating, so if you anticipate being outside for the day, make sure to bring along a water bottle and keep refilling it!
Stay Cool.
