Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Keep cool indoors
• Method 2 of 3: Enjoy summer activities
• Method 3 of 3: Moisturize in the summer
• Warnings

During the hot summer months, it can be difficult to keep cool and enjoy it, especially if you don't have an air conditioner or you need to be outside. You can keep your home cool during the day by blocking out sunlight and avoiding activities that can make your home warmer. When you're outside, you can beat the heat by staying in the shade, going to areas where a natural breeze is blowing, and wearing the right clothes.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Keep cool indoors

1. Turn off the lights in the house. Incandescent bulbs and even LED bulbs produce heat when they illuminate your home. Keep the temperature low by turning on the lights only when absolutely necessary, otherwise using alternative light sources, such as the bulb on your phone.
   • You can also unplug lamps and other electronic devices that you are not using. Sometimes electronics can heat up even in standby mode, as they draw electricity from the stop contract.
2. Keep your windows closed during the day. This may seem counterproductive, but open windows let in the warm air from the outside. Once the sun comes up, you can close and shut open windows to keep the cooler air in your home.
   • If your windows won't lock or if you feel a draft when you close the windows, consider placing a towel along the opening of the window to block out the air.
3. Block windows with blinds or curtains. Hang blackout curtains or place a sunshade for car windows in front of the windows during the day. As soon as the sun comes up, close the curtains completely or roll out the sunshade completely to prevent the sun from heating your house.
   • Sunshades for car windows normally have a shiny can that reflects the sun, these are useful for smaller windows.
   • Blackout curtains absorb sunlight and usually work well for large windows.
4. Open your windows at night and use fans to amplify a breeze. When the sun is down, set up a large fan in front of an open window to blow cooler air into the room. If you have a ceiling fan, turn it on to circulate the air around the room.
   • If it's an extremely hot night, spray yourself with cold water from a spray bottle and stand in front of the fan before going to sleep. This can really cool your body temperature and help you fall asleep.
5. Buy a dehumidifier to keep humidity to a minimum on hot days. Humidity can make heat look a lot worse than it actually is. Invest in a basic dehumidifier for the rooms where you spend the most time, such as the living room and the bedroom. The dehumidifier will draw moisture from the air, making the heat less heavy.
   • Dehumidifiers can even be useful if you have a built-in air conditioner as they extract the moisture from the circulating air before it is circulated through the air conditioner, making the process more efficient. Without a dehumidifier, the air conditioner has to cool and dehumidify the air.
6. Avoid turning on appliances that can heat up your home. During the summer it is best to eat cold meals, or limit cooking mainly to the microwave or barbecue. Turn off the stove on the hottest days to keep the air as cool as possible.
   • If you have to cook indoors, consider using a table grill or sandwich maker for cooking, these use less power and will produce less heat in the kitchen.
   • The dishwasher can also heat up your house in the summer. Try to hand wash your dishes to avoid generating hot, humid air in your home.

Method 2 of 3: Enjoy summer activities

1. Do indoor activities during the hottest part of the day. From 10am to 2pm the temperatures outside can be overwhelming. To stay cool and avoid strong sun, stay indoors or move to an air-conditioned location if you don't have one at home.
   • For example, if you want to do a good activity, you can plan to go to the library to study or go for a walk in the mall.
   • If you want to do a fun activity with friends, you can have lunch with friends at a restaurant, go to a museum, or go to the movies.
2. Find places to rest in the shade when you are outside for long periods. Avoid exposing yourself to direct sunlight for more than 30-45 minutes during the day. When doing an outdoor activity, take some time to see under a tree, relax under an umbrella, or relax in a tent to get your energy back.
   • If you are going somewhere where there are not many resting places in the shade, do not forget to bring an umbrella or tent. In an emergency, you can even sit under the trunk door of an SUV or in a car with the windows open.
3. Plan a trip to a cooler place if you want to enjoy the outdoors. Places such as mountains, thick forests with a lot of shade, rivers and valleys have a natural breeze that can be very refreshing and cooling. If you want to do something outdoors, plan a day of walking in a forest, under the shade of the trees, or go for a walk along a river or stream with a strong breeze.
   • Remember that breezes will not always blow in these locations, but they are usually windier than other areas.
4. Wear lightweight and light-colored clothing to keep your body cool. Lightweight clothes in a light color, such as white, light blue, light brown, light pink, and light yellow, are the best choice when trying to keep yourself cool. When you are at the beach or at home, you can wear less clothing, such as a top and shorts or a swimsuit. If you have things to do or need to work, wear clothes made of lightweight materials, such as linen, cotton, silk, or other breathable materials.
   • When trying on clothes, look for clothes that have a loose style and / or cut that can keep your body cooler and less constrained.
5. Take a break from the heat if you start to feel sick. If you are out during the day and feel dizzy or sick, go inside to a cool place and drink at least 2 liters of water. Make sure to rest for at least 2 hours before going out again. Symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and upset stomach can be early signs of heat stroke, which can be serious.
   • Symptoms such as heavy sweating, mumbling or speaking incoherently, convulsions and chills, and vomiting are more serious. If you see anyone experiencing these symptoms, contact medical professionals immediately.
   • If you find yourself unable to cool down after going in, submerge your body in cold water or place ice packs under your armpits, back of your neck, and in your groin. If you don't have it cooler in 5 minutes, you should contact emergency services for help.

Method 3 of 3: Moisturize in the summer

1. Drink at least 3 liters of water on hot days. Aim to drink at least 200ml of water every hour when temperatures are high to keep your body well hydrated. Try to drink water with every meal and throughout the day to keep your body hydrated and cool.
   • If this seems difficult to you, always take a bottle of water with you during the day, or swap a different drink with a glass of water every day.
2. Avoid caffeine and sugary drinks. Beverages such as coffee, tea and soft drinks can slightly dehydrate you when you drink them. Try to limit yourself to 1 drink with caffeine or sugar per day and focus on drinking water before and after taking caffeine or sugar.
   • If you like the taste of soda, consider adding flavor to your water with flavor drops or powders usually available at the supermarket. That way, you get the healthy benefits of soft drink flavored water.
   • If you like the bubbles in the soda, consider drinking sparkling water instead of soda.
3. Drink a sports drink after performing intensive activities. When you sweat a lot, such as when you jog, lift weights, play a sport, or even garden, your body can quickly dry out. After drinking a sports drink, you need to drink at least 250 ml of water to fully rehydrate your body.
   • Sports drinks contain a mixture of carbohydrates, sodium and potassium called electrolytes that help replace the minerals you lose during sweating and improve rehydration.

Warnings

• Spending too much time in the sun or in heat can cause serious medical emergencies. If you find yourself starting to feel sick, try to cool your body. If you can't cool down, call emergency services for help.