Keep It Cool

Keep It Cool

As I write this from my comfortable air conditioned office, I know what is awaiting me the minute I step outside. The weather this morning called for it to be 100 degrees and humid with no breeze. Eventually we will all have to endure the summer heat.

Here are some tips that I found useful. I hope they help you from melting!

1. Soak your feet in a bucket of cold water.
You can do it almost anywhere and don't have to stay in the tub. The body radiates heat from the hands, feet, face and ears, so cooling any of these will efficiently cool the body.

2. Running cold water over your wrists for 10 seconds each hand will reduce your temperature for roughtly an hour. It takes 20 seconds to do and feels very nice if your wrists come in contact with other body parts.

3. Wear Summer Clothing: Wear natural fabrics (cotton, silk, linen) rather than polyester, rayon, or other artificial fibers (with the possible exception of performance fabrics). Wear Light Colors: Darker colors will absorb the sun's rays and be warmer than light or white clothing, which reflects light and heat. Wear natural summer clothing.

4. Use a hint of mint. Try a few minty or menthol products to cool your skin: slather on lotion with peppermint (avoid your face and eyes), shower with peppermint soap, use a minty foot soak, and powders with mint. Mint refreshes the skin and leaves a nice cooling sensation.

5. Cool as a cucumber! Slice a thin piece of cold cucumber (from the fridge or a cooler) and stick it in the middle of your forehead! This feels fantastic on a hot day or when stuck in a hot car, and works almost immediately!

6. Keep the back of your neck in shade (wear a cap in reverse way or raise your collar) and if necessary put a wet handkerchief on the back of the neck. The sensor for our body temperature control system is in this area and so with this you can make the body think that you are "cool".