3 Ways to Stay Cool without Cranking the Air Conditioner

[LivingGreen]

Depending on the humidity, 80-degree weather and up can be intolerable. So when the sweat is dripping down your back and your skin starts sticking to the furniture, it’s hard to resist the temptation to turn on the air condition. However, there are some tricks to keep you cool this summer as well as energy efficient.

Along with some of the obvious ways to keep your home cool such as keeping your air conditioner filter clean and closing the drapes during the day, you can go a few steps further in the effort to save energy. Below are cooling tips that you might not have considered.

Adjust Your Wardrobe
People who live in tropical climates know that lightweight clothing that is made from a breathable material such as cotton is the best way to beat the heat. So search through your closet and find shirts and pants that are loose and are made from thinner materials. If you’re going to be spending some time outside, wear a large hat that shades your face, neck, shoulders and back. It’s also wise to wear lighter colors, because darker colors such as black will absorb the heat.

Hydrate Your Insides & Outsides
At any age, it’s important to hydrate your body when the temperature is fierce outside, because the hot weather will make you sweat. So keep a reusable water bottle with you throughout the day and fill it up with chilled water from a pitcher in the refrigerator.

It can also be beneficial to cool your pulse points (forehead, temples and wrists) with splashes of cold water. If you have trouble sleeping at night, try placing bottles of cool water under your knees. Or you can put your sheets in a bag and place them in the freezer for a little while.

Eat Smaller Meals
After eating large meals packed with protein and carbohydrates, you probably feel warmer because your body’s metabolism is working on overdrive. Instead of three big meals a day, try breaking them up into smaller meals that you can eat more frequently. Adding in some mild or hot spices to your dishes will make you sweat without raising your body temperature, and when your sweat starts to evaporate, you will experience a cooling sensation.

[shiela_robins]

Its summer where I'm at and my wardrobe fort he last 2 months has been: shorts, white t-shirt and flip flops. I also consume something like 5 litres of water a day just to cool down! its that hot here!

the eating.... well its hard but im getting there! LOL!

[LivingGreen]

Its summer where I'm at and my wardrobe fort he last 2 months has been: shorts, white t-shirt and flip flops. I also consume something like 5 litres of water a day just to cool down! its that hot here!

the eating.... well its hard but im getting there! LOL!

Oh, I can imagine you wearing those outfits. And yay! 5 litres of water a day is just.. ahhhh... I think it's really warm in there...

[misisgreen]

I will try this at home =)

[Garden]

[QUOTE=Eat Smaller Meals
After eating large meals packed with protein and carbohydrates, you probably feel warmer because your body’s metabolism is working on overdrive. Instead of three big meals a day, try breaking them up into smaller meals that you can eat more frequently. Adding in some mild or hot spices to your dishes will make you sweat without raising your body temperature, and when your sweat starts to evaporate, you will experience a cooling sensation.[/QUOTE]

This method would benefit me a lot. I could lose weight and be a greener people by doing so. I will have a try.