10 tips to beat the summer heat

Pia Ranada

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Here are 10 tips to stay cool this summer

HEAT WAVE. The best way to stay cool is to accept the heat and find ways around it

MANILA, Philippines – Summer is here and it could not have announced itself more effectively with the scorching heat.

People all over the country are feeling the burn and the sweat. Though this summer heat brings to mind trips to the beach, it can also lead to dehydration and less productivity when our bodies tire from the high temperature.

A room with an AC on full blast sounds like a good plan right now but there are other ways to cool down this summer without abusing your electricity bill.

Here is a quick list of things you can do to escape the heat:

1. Be hydrated and stay hydrated

A cold glass of water will help you lower down your body temperature at any time. Be sure to drink lots of water during this season. If that still doesn’t do it, dunk some hydration salts and tablets into your glass or jug of water. Sports drinks rich with electrolytes may also do the trick.

For a fun and yummy twist, visit a smoothie café with friends and cool down with the different available flavors. If you want to stay indoors away from the sun, you can try concocting your own smoothie or shake recipes in your kitchen.

You can also store water bottles in the freezer and wait for the water to turn into ice. Once done, take a bottle when you go outdoors and drink the ice-cold water as the ice melts.

2. Turn off unnecessary appliances

Appliances and other devices create their own heat when they run on electricity. Shut down your laptop if you’re not using it. Turn off the TV and unnecessary lights. This helps reduce heat circulating within the room. Make sure to open your windows as well so that the breeze can come in. It’s even better if your window is underneath a cool shade.

3. Keep a spray bottle with you

Nothing cools down skin so much as cool water. When you’re commuting or even indoors on a particularly warm day, carry a small spray bottle with you with which to spritz your face with water any time. Make sure to bring a hand towel too.

4. Arrange the schedule around the sun’s

Have outdoor activities in the wee (and cool) hours of the morning until around 9 AM when the sun extends its prickly fingers. Reserve indoor activities from 9 AM until around 4:30 PM when the sun is hottest. This summer, be a night person, filling your evenings with activities.

5. Run water over pulse points

According to WikiHow, running water over pulse points like your wrist or neck helps cool the body down because the body takes it temperature cue from the temperature of your major veins.

6. Go swimming or run under the sprinkler

The one sport that won’t make you sweat this summer is swimming. Head to your subdivision or condominium pool. If you don’t know how to swim, this is the best time to learn. If you have no access to any pool, take the cheapskate — and some would say more fun — route and run around under garden sprinklers or the spray of your garden hose.

7. Choose your clothes with care

Avoid wearing tight clothes or clothes in dark colors. They tend to keep in your body warmth. Opt for loose, cotton-wear in light colors instead.

8. Avoid caffeine and alcohol

For those desperate to stay hydrated this summer, one drastic measure is to avoid caffeine and alcohol, which, according to MedicineNet, easily dehydrate the body.

9. Get a portable fan

Take cooling aids to the next level by buying a small, portable, battery-powered fans. Some versions can even be attached to a water bottle to produce cooling mist.

10. Wear a hat

The sun’s rays hitting the crown of your head can make you literally and figuratively hot-headed. Wear a hat to keep your head cool. A shaded hat is a plus because it keeps your eyes protected as well. – With reports from Ina Camille Jacobe/Rappler.com

Photo of flip-flops on beach from Shutterstock

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!
Sleeve, Clothing, Apparel

author

Pia Ranada

Pia Ranada is Rappler’s Community Lead, in charge of linking our journalism with communities for impact.