There is nothing better than enjoying the heat of the summer, especially after those long, chilly winter and spring months, but the heat and humidity of summer can quickly leave you wondering how in the world you can stay cool in extreme heat. Whether your home doesn’t have central air conditioning, or you know you’re going to be stuck outside in the heat for a long period of time, you’ll want to plan ahead with some proven tactics to help you stay cool in the summer.
Basic Tips on How to Stay Cool in Extreme Heat
While we can’t take the heat away for you (though, that would be pretty neat!), we’ve come up with ten proven methods to help you cool down in hot weather. Follow these steps and you’ll never dread the heat again!
1. Add Ice To A Regular Fan
When you’re trying to stay cool in hot weather, a normal fan just doesn’t cut it. Try adding ice to your fan to give it the cool, refreshing kick you need! This might sound complicated, but there are many simple ways to do this. You can place a frozen cloth over the back of your fan, adhere a gel ice pack to the back of your fan with string or tape, or simply place a bowl of ice in front of your fan to cool down the air blowing your way.
Tip: Portable fans are easier to find than ever; if you know you’re going to be outside in the heat for a long period of time with no access to air conditioning, you could always invest in a portable fan. They’re cheap, easy to bring with you, and can even include spray bottles to give you a cool mist and enhance the cooling sensation of the fan.
This is especially nice if you’re planning a trip to an amusement park or somewhere you’ll be standing in line for a long time with no coverage from the sun. Those intermittent spritzes of water and a mini breeze you can bring anywhere will be a lifesaver.
2. Stay Hydrated
None of these tips on how to keep yourself cool in hot weather will work if you’re dehydrated! Even if you do manage to cool down a bit, you’ll be parched and at a much higher risk of much-needed getting heat exhaustion. Whether you’re in the direct sun or not, remember to drink as much water as possible to keep yourself cool and hydrated.
3. Put Your Ankles In Water
If you’re really struggling and wondering how to stay cool in extreme heat, it might be a time for a dip… but don’t worry, you don’t need a pool for this cooling tip! Studies have shown that submerging your feet in cold water up to your ankles can drastically cool you down, even in hot weather. Fill up your tub up or simply get a large mixing bowl with some cold water and possibly even ice cubes, and let your feet get a cool treat!
Tip: Outside and don’t have access to any water? The next best thing is letting those feet and ankles breathe! If you’re in desperate need of relief from the heat, try to find a shady or covered area where you can take a much-needed rest and kick off those socks and shoes for a bit. While this won’t be as effective as the water method, it will give your body a little chance to cool down.
4. Keep Your Skin Products In The Fridge
When you’re wondering what to do to stay cool in hot weather, skincare products probably don’t immediately come to mind. However, you can actually use lotions, facial products, body mists and more to help you stay cool! Simply pop your products in the fridge for a few hours and they’ll be refreshingly cool when you’re ready to use them. This is a perfect option for facial mists if you want a constant option to spray on and cool down.
5. Freeze Your Berries and Fruit
My favorite way to stay cool? Frozen grapes! Grapes aren’t the only thing that can be enjoyed frozen; in fact, freezing any type of fruit will make for a fresh and healthy snack. Frozen fruit and berries are a delicious and nutritious way to supply a chilled sweet treat while enjoying the warmth of the sun.
6. Wrap a Cold Wet Towel Around Your Neck
A cold, wet towel around your neck will keep you from overheating. As you rest the wet towel against your skin, the water begins to evaporate, decreasing the towel's temperature. This cooling action is transferred to the skin on your neck, lowering your body temperature and making you feel more at ease under the scorching sun.
7. Stay Closer to the Ground
Heat rises; ergo, you want to stay low to stay cool--the closer you are to the sun, the hotter it’s going to be. Grab a blanket, lay down, and spend some time relaxing. Along with being cooler, copping-a-squat will give your body a much-needed break that will leave you feeling refreshed and energized for the day ahead.
8. Eat Spicy Food
Wouldn’t eating spicy food make you hotter? Well, it sort of does. When you eat spicy food, your internal body temperature heats up, forcing you to sweat. Heat receptors in the skin are triggered by spiciness, leading to even more sweating. That double-whammy of sweat that occurs with spicy foods will cool off your body more efficiently than ice cream if you can believe it!
How to Cool My Room Without AC
9. Take Advantage Of A Breeze
No tools necessary here - this tip has been used for centuries for those struggling with keeping cool in the heat. While it might not be particularly breezy outside, opening the windows in your house or apartment can help to create a cross-breeze and will also make sure you aren’t stuck sitting in the same hot, recycled air.
If you are outside and looking to cool down in the heat, but there doesn’t seem to be a breeze, you’re not completely out of luck. You might have luck catching a breeze by a body of water, which we recommend heading to breeze or not, since the air temperature will likely be a bit cooler coming from the water, and you might just be able to put our last tip to the test and dip your ankles in!
10. Dampen Your Curtains
In our current world of air conditioners in almost every home and business, not many people know this once-popular answer to how to stay cool in the heat outside. Dampening or soaking your window curtains and drapes is a simple and effective way to cool down the air coming in the window. Make sure to choose a window with good airflow, and then determine how you’ll wet your curtains. You can spray them down in the water or simply put the ends of your curtains in buckets of cold water - either option will cool down the air in your home!
11. Close the Door in Unimportant Rooms
Keeping interior doors open allows for airflow throughout the entire place. Closing the door to unused rooms creates a smaller space to be cooled, so the a/c or fan won’t have to work as hard, and the room you are in will cool down faster. This will also work well if you’re relying on an outside cross-breeze to keep the room cool.
12. Sleep on Cotton Sheets
Nothing is worse than waking up in the middle of the night in a pool of sweat, so start sleeping cool! Cotton sheets are made of natural fibers, making them a breathable, temperature-controlling fabric. Egyptian cotton is considered to be the most luxurious of all types of cotton because it is crisp and lightweight, and not to mention comfy - a dream come true!
How to Stay Cool in the Heat Outside
If you’re going to be venturing out into the sunny heat, you’ll want to know how to stay cool at outdoor events. Below are some ways to stay comfortable during the warmer months while you’re out soaking up the sun.
13. Find Some Shade
This is a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning that finding shade is one of the easiest ways to stay cool in the summer, especially if you can’t escape indoors. No matter where you are outdoors, you’re likely going to be able to find a shady area, even if it’s just a small patch of shade under a tree. Shade might not seem like it will cool you down too much, but it’s important to get as much coverage from the sun as possible if you’re overheating.
14. Dress In Light Clothing
If you know you’re going to be outside with little access to shade or air conditioning, preparing by wearing the proper clothing can be one of your best tactics on how to stay cool in the heat. The best clothes to stay cool in the summer will be made of light, breathable fabric like cotton, as well as light colors and athletic wear.
Tip: If you’ll be in extreme heat and exposed to the sun for long periods of time, it can actually be more beneficial to cover up a little more. There’s nothing worse than a sunburn when you’re trying to stay cool in the heat, and you’ll be left feeling uncomfortable for days afterward. Try to find lightweight clothing that can keep your skin shielded from the sun as much as possible.
15. Go Out To Eat Or On A Shopping Trip
If you can, stay cool from the heat by getting out of the sun entirely and head to an air-conditioned building instead. This doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a beautiful summer day just because you want to stay cool in the heat. If you still want to enjoy the outdoors, create a fun itinerary that includes walking to multiple restaurants, participate in a bar hop, or head to an outdoor mall. Being outdoors but close enough to pop inside for refreshing a/c is the best of both worlds!
16. Avoid the Sun from 11 am to 3 pm
The sun shines the hottest throughout the middle of the day; more specifically, between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. During this period of time, the UV rays from the sun are the strongest, and the likelihood of sunburn is immense. If you know you are going to be outside throughout these hours, try to locate a shady spot and make sure to put on plenty of sunscreens.
17. Utilize An Outdoor Tent
Outdoor tents are the ultimate way to keep cool in hot weather, as well as offering ample shelter for those summer rain showers that seem to come out of nowhere. From a small pop-up tent that can offer shade and keep you cool at a sporting event, picnic, or backyard get-together, to a formal event held under a luxurious frame tent, guests will be happy to get out of the sun and still be able to enjoy the outdoors in an event tent.
How To Keep An Outdoor Tent Cool
If you want to add extra cooling methods to make your outdoor tent even more comfortable in the summer heat, there are many choices you can utilize! First, think about what color tent is coolest in hot weather; you don’t want to order a black tent for a summer event. Keep your tent color in the lightest shades possible to create a cooler atmosphere.
You can also cool your tent by renting industrial fans or a standing unit to provide air conditioning for outdoor events. We recommend making sure your tent has open airflow, so if you are utilizing sidewalls for your outdoor summer event, you’ll want some areas left open for a breeze.
Conclusion
The summer heat can be brutal, but we hope these simple tips and tricks can help you beat the heat and stay cool through the rising temperatures. For more ideas on how to utilize event tents and create an amazing outdoor venue in any kind of weather, visit the American Tent blog! If you need help finding the perfect tent for your backyard or event, our passionate team is eager to help! Contact us today!
