Now that summer is in full effect, you are likely feeling the heat. Staying cool can get expensive when you consider your energy bill and other luxuries, but there are other, inexpensive things you can do to stay cool. The following are eight ways to consider.
1. Take a Cold Shower
One of the simplest (and least expensive) ways to stay cool on a hot summer day is to take a nice, cold shower. Just don't stay in for too long so you can avoid running up your water bill. Luckily, it doesn't take long to cool off once you step in. There are even physical benefits to taking cold showers. They can possibly bolster immune health, combat symptoms of depression, improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain.*
2. Spend More Time at the Library
If you need a reason to spend more time at your local library, cooling off is a good one. Libraries are typically air-conditioned, not to mention quiet and peaceful, making them ideal for getting work done on your computer or sitting and reading. When was the last time you picked up a hardcover book, magazine, or newspaper? If you find yourself primarily using digital media, a trip to the library is a good excuse to get back in touch with print.
Libraries also feature a wealth of activities and groups that you can take part in. In addition to cooling off, you can take up some interesting hobbies or get involved with social groups. The library is also a great place to bring children for some free fun.
3. Shop Around
Treats and beverages are often ideal for cooling off, but it's no secret that grocery prices in many places have continued to rise. If you're looking to save some money while enjoying these things, shop around to find deals. Besides grocery stores usually keeping temperatures low, larger food chains often have a dairy and vegetable room where temperatures are very cold.
"Stocking up on water, ice cream, ices or whatever you need to stay cool doesn’t have to break the bank," notes Donna Fuscald at AARP.** "Without a doubt, inflation is making groceries more expensive, but there are several ways to find discounts and deals — whether that means clipping coupons, becoming a loyalty member at your local supermarket or taking advantage of senior days."
4. Dress Appropriately
How you dress can directly affect your ability to stay cool on a hot day. Wear loose, light-colored clothing to allow air to circulate around your body and help perspiration evaporate more easily. This cools you down naturally. Tight-fitting clothes can trap heat and moisture, making you hotter and more uncomfortable. Breathable fabrics like cotton can also help with cooling. Light colors reflect sunlight rather than absorb it like darker colors, so this is also helpful to keep in mind.
5. Use the Right Bedding
When you're ready for bed, make sure you're opting for bedding that will help you stay cool and comfortable. Again, use lightweight, breathable materials to allow air to flow freely around your body and prevent you from overheating. Cotton and linen are good choices. As with clothing, light colors are ideal for absorbing less heat. Use thinner blankets than you would in the winter. If you really want a cool bed, you can try placing bedding in the freezer for a short time before you lie down.
6. Utilize DIY Projects
There are several DIY projects you can try to contribute to your cooling efforts. For example, you can make something of a DIY air conditioner by placing a bowl of ice in front of a fan, which can circulate cooler air around the room. You can try hanging wet sheets or towels in front of open windows to cool incoming air, or you can add reflective window film or aluminum foil to windows to help block out the sun's rays and reduce indoor temperatures.
7. Eat Spicy Food
You can even try eating spicy food to cool yourself down. If this sounds
counterintuitive, think again.
"Wouldn’t eating spicy food make you hotter?" asks Tony Ehrbar at American Tent.*** Well, it sort of does. When you eat spicy food, your internal body temperature heats up, forcing you to sweat. Heat receptors in the skin are triggered by spiciness, leading to even more sweating. That double-whammy of sweat that occurs with spicy foods will cool off your body more efficiently than ice cream if you can believe it!"
8. Avoid Indoor Cooking
While preparing your own meals is generally best for saving money, you can stay cooler if you avoid cooking in your home. Eat more meals that don't require heat. You can also cook outdoors more, using a grill or smoker to avoid heating up your home. Using the oven or stove inside is bound to raise your home's indoor temperature.
It gets pretty hot here in Nevada during the summer months, and it can put a strain on your finances trying to keep cool as energy and grocery prices aren't as low as they used to be. Yet there are still some cheap ways to stay cool if you think outside the box.
* https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/6-cold-shower-benefits-consider
** https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/keep-cool-cheap-tips/
*** https://americantent.com/blogs/taking-care/10-tips-to-stay-cool-in-the-summer-heat