Ways to stay cool this summer! At home and outside too.
Soon temperatures will soar and we will do all we can to stay cool. Turning on the air-con seems to be a good option. But though it is the most convenient way to cool down it has its drawbacks. Dry skin and mucous membranes, potential to transmit infectious respiratory diseases, hoarseness and throat irritation are a few of the hazards to health caused by prolonged use of the AC. Moreover, electrical cooling of spaces requires high energy use resulting in astronomical energy bills and massive carbon footprints.
There are ways you can stay cool this summer by following these simple summer hacks.
Cooling hacks for you:
- Wear clothing made of natural and breathable materials like cotton, linen and jute.
- Broad brimmed hats, bucket hats or legionnaire hats are advisable as they provide protection to the face, neck and ears too.
- Go in for shades that meet the Australian standards for eyewear and have an Eye Protection Factor of 9 or 10. Wrap arounds are a good option as they fit closely and protect even the sides of the eyes.
- Sunscreen is a must when you are outdoors. Choose a water-resistant broad-spectrum, SPF 30 sunscreen. Reapply every 3 hours for continuous protection.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and hot drinks. Carry a water bottle wherever you go. Stay hydrated!
- Eat meals that are light, and include salads and fruits in each meal.
- Apply a cool damp cloth or ice pack to your pulse points. This is a good way to reduce your body temperature.
- Chill your sheets and pillows by keeping them in freezer for some time. But make sure to wrap them first in resealable plastic then place them in the fridge or the freezer.
- Fill an empty spray bottle with ice cold water. Whenever you start to feel the heat just spray yourself.
- If you plan to sit for a long time, give your feet a cold bath. Immerse your feet up to your ankles in a container filled with cold water. When your ankles are cool your body temperature too tends to drop.
- Take a cool shower or spritz some cool water on yourself with water whenever possible.
Cooling hacks for your home:
- Draw the blinds and curtains to block out the harsh sun rays during the day time. Night time you can go about opening them again. For cooler breeze at night hanging wet sheets in front of the windows can do the trick.
- Adjust the ceiling fan to rotate counter clock-wise. This pushes the cool air down, keeping the temperature indoors cool.
- Fill a container with ice and keep it under the fan. You will be amazed at the difference in temperature this can make.
- Use less of heat radiating appliances like the oven, microwave, electric plate etc.
- Incandescent bulbs produce a lot of heat, so, switching to LEDs will be a step towards a cooler and energy efficient home.
Greenery acts like a natural air conditioner. Having a roof top garden and trees with dense foliage in your garden will aid in keeping your home cool. A roof top garden is an excellent form of insulation. The trees around your house will effectively block the heat from coming through the windows, creating natural shade for many years to come.
Going the natural way has multi-pronged benefits. You stay cool in a healthy way; you do not shell out huge amounts for energy bills and you do not contribute to global warming. It is definitely a win-win situation.
