How to Cool Off on a Hot Day
Posted: Thursday, June 17, 2010
by Carolyn Tytler
It's human nature: every winter, we yearn for warmer weather; every summer we eagerly seek ways to cool off. Extreme heat can be just as debilitating to the human body as extreme cold.
With global warming predicted to cause higher temperatures over longer periods of time, it is worthwhile to explore ways and means of keeping our families and ourselves cool during those uncomfortable summer heat spells. Here are some suggestions which may be helpful:
* If you have air-conditioning but want to avoid sky-high electrical bills, set the thermostat at 80 degrees Fahrenheit, open windows to provide a cross breeze, and turn on fans, both ceiling and portable models. This will keep fresh air circulating and make the home much more comfortable.
* In the house, wear as little clothing as possible. What you do wear should be loose, light-weight and made of cotton. Synthetic materials retain heat and hold moisture close to the body, rather than allowing it to evaporate.
* Avoid exercising and leave strenuous activities for a cooler day. Slow down your entire routine. Summer is supposed to be a time to relax, remember?
* Allow cold water to run over your hands and wrists for about ten seconds every two hours. Since a major vein passes through this area, the cooled blood will be carried throughout the body.
* Eat small meals, but eat more often. Fresh fruit and salads are both healthful and delicious at this time of year. Large meals or high-protein food increase body heat through the a longer, more intense process of digestion.
* Drink more fluids: water, diluted fruit juice, mineral water or fizzy beverages. If your body is well-hydrated, it will stay cool naturally. Avoid alcoholic drinks, coffee, tea or any beverage containing caffeine; they will act as diuretics.
* If you are young and normally active, participate in water sports: swimming, visiting a water park, or wading along the shore. Remember to use sunscreen and wear a T-shirt to avoid sunburn.
* Take a tepid bath or shower. Allow yourself to air-dry. You may be tempted to use cold water, but your body will get warmer afterwards to compensate for heat loss.
* For sleeping, a sheet is sufficient cover. Try sticking the sheets in the fridge for several hours before bedtime. Cool sheets straight from the refrigerator may help you fall asleep more easily. Do not use synthetic pillows; they retain heat, Feather or down pillows are better.
* Scour health food stores for chrysanthemum tea. Naturalists claim it is a cooling herb which will improve thinking skills as well.
* Sit back, relax and try to visualize clearly some of those intense snowstorms and blizzards we endured last winter. Researchers claim that the body reacts to these daydreams and reduces its overall temperature.
Try to take a few minutes each evening and journal the events of the day, the temperature, the weather, your experiences and feelings, and describe the measures you took to try to keep cool.
Human nature being what it is, you will find the record helpful next winter when you're trying to warm up.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Well, it's winter where I am, and just reading your article made me feel warm for a few minutes, so I guess that proves the researchers right!
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