If you’re worried about rising energy bills as we head into summer, don’t overlook alternatives to air conditioner and fans for staying cool. You may be able to save some money this upcoming season with a few tweaks to your diet and some simple lifestyle changes. Whether you need instant relief from the scorching heat or have the patience to complete a DIY project, here are eight refreshing – and unconventional – ways to keep your cool all summer long.
1. Learn a Yogic Breathing Technique
You may not need to do anything more than breathe differently if you want your body to cool down naturally. Yoga practitioners work to master a breathing technique that can bring down body temperature in minutes. Just curl your tongue and focus on inhaling through your mouth. Exhale through your nose fully and repeat.
2. Attach a Fan to Your Smartphone
If you leave your smartphone out on your desk for several hours a day, prop it up against a book or place it in stand so you can mount a fan on it. You can buy a miniature fan that attaches to the top of the phone to provide a steady stream of cool air while you work.
3. Spice Up Your Favorite Meals
Eating spicy foods can increase your body’s temperature, which in turn, makes you sweat. Sweating is your body’s way of cooling down, so anything you can do to sweat up a storm can help you regulate your body temperature. Add hot peppers, jalapeños, chili powder and other spicy foods to your favorite recipes for an extra kick and a way to cool down within an hour or two.
4. Spritz Yourself With Chilled Tea
Enjoy a refreshing boost in the middle of a hot day or just use this to wake up and feel energized on a blazing summer morning. Brew peppermint or mint tea in a large pot and leave it to chill in the refrigerator overnight. Fill a spray bottle with the tea and spritz it on as needed. The soothing properties of the tea can calm down angry skin and the cold spritz will help you cool off quickly.
5. Install Solar Shades & Sun Screens
Keeping the inside of your house cool during the summer can be a challenge. Installing solar shades or sun screens is a great alternative to leaving the air conditioning on all day. And while it may not keep your house as cool as constant central air, solar shades and sun screens can also significantly help reduce energy bills.
6. Give Your Feet an Ice Bath
Forget about taking a warm bath at the end of the day; cool off by dipping your feet in a large bowl of ice cubes and cold water instead. The shockingly cold temperature will cool you off quickly and reset your body’s temperature so you feel comfortable even a few hours later. The soles of your feet are especially sensitive to temperature changes, so the ice cold foot bath could be all it takes to cool down.
7. Sleep With a Cold Water Bottle
Bring out that old hot water bottle and fill it with cold water and a few ice cubes to help you cool off as you fall asleep. This can be especially helpful if you live on a higher floor and are feeling the effects of rising heat. Alternatively, wrap frozen plastic bottles of water in a towel or cotton pillowcase to have by your side while you snooze.
8. Wear an Ice Vest
You can buy an ice vest from a handful of online retailers to wear as a cooling layer on those hotter days. The vest is designed with multiple panels that house re-freezable ice sheets and you can wear it over your clothes, creating an efficient cooling system.
9. Purchase an Awning
Awnings are a great way to keep your outdoor areas shaded and protected during the summer months. In addition to adding value and style, awnings provide superior protection from UV rays and can help extend your outdoor living areas.
10. Find a Swimming Hole
No matter where you are in the country, one of the best ways to keep cool is to find a place where you can jump in and take a swim. Swimming is not only great exercise, but can be a great excuse to spend time with family and friends on the water.
Do you have any other good suggestions for how to stay cool this summer? Let us know in the comments and contact Eclipse Shading Systems for the Ultimate Sunblock!
