Nine Ways to Beat the Summer Heat
by Derek Hart, a native of an area where temperatures often reached 100 degrees from June to September, gives suggestions for dealing with the heat of summer.
Now that summer is in full swing, and being from Southern California, a region where temperatures at times approach triple digits during this time of year, I thought it would be a good idea to offer some helpful hints on how to best deal with the heat…
1. Wear light colored clothes, especially from the waist up. Colors such as white, light gray, yellow, and baby blue reflect the sun’s rays and makes one feel cooler. This is as opposed to dark colors such as black and navy blue, which absorbs heat.
I personally put my dark-colored shirts away in my dresser drawers and don’t pull them out until around mid-October, when the weather starts to cool where I live.
2. Whenever you venture outside during the daytime, try to stay in the shade as much as possible. Wearing wide brimmed hats or baseball caps are also a good way to shade you from the sun.
When walking down the street, staying under the trees is an excellent idea. I find myself doing that whenever I walk outside on hot days.
3. WATER, WATER, WATER!
Aqua.
H2O.
Nature’s cooling mechanism, it’s imperative that you drink as much water as you can when the temperature approaches the nineties, especially during the afternoon; the hottest time of the day is approximately 2:00 p.m.
I never leave the house without a large bottle of water in my backpack. It replenishes fluids and helps to stave off heat exhaustion.
Much in the same way that water keeps cars from overheating, water also keeps people from overheating.
4. If you don’t have air conditioning in your house, close your window blinds that face the sun during the day. That will reflect the sun’s rays away and will serve as a kind of coolant for your place.
Also, I strongly encourage getting an electric fan and keeping it on during the afternoon, as the moving air will help cool the house down in a “wind-chill” effect. Opening the windows in the evening is also helpful.
However, if you are fortunate enough to have air conditioning in your home, you’re all set.
5. Carrying a squirt bottle fan is extremely helpful for when you are out and about. It will help keep you cool when you have to be outside in the heat.
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