So, I realized I have a strategy for surviving as the day heats up. Our home does not have air conditioning, so that plays in to my strategy.
15 Tips to Beat the Heat
- Start out wearing warmer clothes: long pants or jeans, a shirt with sleeves.
- When it gets too hot mid-afternoon, change into shorts and a sleeveless top to feel relief.
- I can usually take a shower, and if I rinse my head -- or wash my hair -- ahhhhh! Such coolness as the hair air dries. Thankfully, I don't have to use a blow dryer.
- I also have a little kid's wading pool. I fill it, put a chair next to it, grab a book and read while I just put my feet in the pool. I don't need a big pool. My feet don't know the difference, and the cooling effect is delightful.
- Make "sun tea" -- ice tea that brews in the sun. That makes the heat productive and rewards us with a cool drink.
- Go to the YMCA -- it is air conditioned and I can exercise there -- even swim in the pool! Nice.
- Keep lights off, of course.
- Enjoy the shade.
- Go to the coast.
- Get indoors at a public space: library, restaurant, store, or movie; or take a drive in the air conditioned car!
- Eat a cold soup such as Summer Borscht, Gazpacho, or Vichyssoise.
- Eat crispy cool salads.
- Eat BBQ burgers or hot dogs or anything from the grill; sure -- the grill gets too hot, but if you are hot already, at least it feels like a fun occassion.
- Get plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- If outdoors, use an umbrella for shade.
- Look at pictures of winter and snow.
- Sing snow songs.
- Water balloon fights and sprinkler runs.
- Watching my dogs pant. I always tell them it is too warm for pants -- go change; or I tell them it is going to be hot today, they may want to take off their coats. They don't even laugh.
- Baking cookies.
- Wearing socks and shoes.
- Sitting in the sun.
- Going without water.
- Planning a trip to the dessert.
