Staying cool the rest of the summer

Keeping Your Body Cool
My advice is to stay inside between 12p.m.-4p.m. if at all possible, but if you do have to be outside though, it is best to wear a lightweight, long sleeved shirt, a hat, sunscreen, and to drink at least 8 ounces of water every half hour you are outside. What I tell my grandkids to do when they are outside all day running around is to drink plenty of water and then every now and then take a swig of a sports drink, so that they don’t sweat out all their needed salt and electrolytes. I realize those sports drinks can be pretty sugary, and I myself can’t drink a whole one, but if I’m going to be outside all day sweating I add water to a sports drink and sip on it, that way I don’t sweat out all my needed minerals. (To make your own healthier sports drink, click herefor a couple simple recipes.)

Keeping Your House Cool

* If you are an early morning person, take advantage of the crisp morning air by opening windows and screen doors to bring in some of the cool air (do this in the evening too once the sun starts to settle past the horizon a bit. But before it gets too late in the morning, make sure you draw the blinds and drapes to prepare for the hot sun.

 

* If you have venetian blinds (horizontal blinds), close them or angle them upwards. That way, light is reflected up and into the room and direct rays of the sun are not let in.

* Set your thermostat to 76 degrees Fahrenheit when you are home and 83 degrees when you are away. I generally leave a ceiling fan on when I am away, so at least there is air circulating—feels cooler than when I don’t leave one on at home and then return after being gone for the day. For the sick, elderly, and those who have trouble maintaining body temperatures (such as diabetics), set your thermostat a little lower (72 to 75 degrees) when you are home. Better to adjust the temperature if you get too chilly than to wait till you are so overheated that you feel ill.