7 Tips for Staying Cool in the Heat this Summer!
It’s summertime, and that means lots of fun in the sun! But especially in a Texas summertime, that also means a lot of time in extreme heat. If you’re spending a lot of time in extreme heat, you might put yourself at risk for heatstroke and severe dehydration. Therefore, it’s important to be prepared with ways to keep cool even when you’re trying to sweat a little. Here are some of our favorite tips for staying cool in the heat this summer!
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid sugary or caffeinated beverages
- Keep items in a cooler to apply to your pulse points
- Bring an umbrella
- Plan strenuous activities in the morning or evening
- Get wet!
1. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing
Our list of tips for staying cool in the heat this summer starts with your closet in the morning. Whether you’re gardening, playing games with your dog, going for a walk, or even just enjoying a picnic, you need to wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Choose clothing made of light, breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen. These fabrics absorb your sweat easily which helps cool you off. The breathable nature of the material also allows you to feel any cooling breezes as they come. The color of your clothing also plays a role in regulating your temperature outside. When you are out in the sunshine, darker colors absorb light as heat while lighter colors reflect it. So instead of attracting extra heat into dark-colored clothing, wear lighter colors that help shield against heat as an added measure for staying cool this summer. You might also choose clothing made with moisture-wicking fabric. This fabric is designed to draw moisture away from your body, thus keeping you cool.
2. Stay hydrated
One of the most critical tips for staying cool in the heat this summer is to keep yourself hydrated. If you’re spending any amount of time outside in the heat, don’t leave your house without a sufficient supply of water.
Your body cools itself off by sweating and the action of the sweat evaporating from your body. Your body uses a significant amount of water when you sweat, so if you do not replenish your body’s water supply you will become dehydrated. Dehydration can be a serious health hazard, especially in the extreme heat of Texas summers.
Drinking your water or other hydrating beverages cold can also help cool you down from the inside. Drink ice water or plain iced tea. Alternatively, you could freeze a bottle of water and drink it as it thaws for refreshingly ice-cold sips that will stay cold much longer. Also, mint is both hydrating and cooling. So consider brewing some mint tea and letting it chill in the fridge for a refreshingly cool beverage in the summer. There are also sports drinks loaded with electrolytes you might consider drinking during strenuous physical activity in the heat.
3. Avoid sugary or caffeinated beverages
We’ve just discussed the importance of drinking plenty of water and hydrating beverages. But there are some beverages you should avoid because they actually dehydrate you. void beverages that contain dehydrating elements such as added sugar, caffeine, and alcohol.
4. Keep items in a cooler to apply to your pulse points
One of the sneakiest tips for staying cool in the heat is to store things like your sunscreen, a damp or wet cloth, and an ice pack in a cooler. If you’re applying sunscreen regularly, you might as well keep it cool! Applying cold sunscreen will not only help protect your skin from harmful UV rays but be a soothing and refreshing treat for your skin as well!
Likewise, keeping a wet towel or cloth on hand in a cooler will help whisk away sweat while also providing a way to apply some extra-cold temps directly to your skin to cool you down fast. An ice pack or frozen water bottle applied to your skin is also a great way to cool off quickly.
When applying a cold source to your skin such as an ice pack or a cold wet towel, try to focus on your pulse points for maximum effect. Your pulse points are areas where your blood vessels are closest to your skin’s surface, such as the insides of your wrists, the back of your neck, behind your knees, and your temples.
5. Bring an umbrella
Being in the shade can make it feel significantly cooler than when in direct sunlight. One of the most effective tips for staying cool even during the hottest parts of the day is to bring some shade with you! Using a parasol or umbrella outdoors in the sun is not just for Regency ladies in Jane Austen novels. Using an umbrella as you take a walk or sit in the sunshine is a great way to add an extra layer of UV ray protection and to keep your environment a little extra shady and cool.
6. Plan strenuous activities in the morning or evening
One of the most crucial tips for staying cool in the heat is to plan any strenuous activities or exercises in the cooler parts of the day. It can be significantly cooler in the morning and evening times when the sun isn’t blazing. If it’s possible, plan your most active outdoor activities for these times to avoid as much UV ray exposure as possible and lessen your risk of heat-related issues such as heatstroke and severe dehydration.
7. Get wet!
One of the most effective (and fun!) tips for staying cool in the heat is to get wet! If you’re spending a lot of time out in the sun, take breaks every now and then to bring down your body temperature and cool off by getting in some water. Jump into a lake, the ocean, or a pool if you’re near one. If you’re not near a body of water, hop into a sprinkler in your backyard or hose yourself down. You could also go back inside and get into an ice-cold shower which will definitely cool you off quickly!
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