Staying Cool During The Summer Heat

Many people can’t wait for the heat of the summer to arrive. Swapping sweaters and thick socks for summer dresses and sandals is one of my favorite times of the year. I have a very hard time during the winter. I live in Southern New Hampshire, so our winters can get pretty brutal. I have fibromyalgia and hEDS and both make me super sensitive to temperatures. If I get too cold, my whole body seizes up and my jaw clenches super hard and I can’t stop it. Others can’t think of anything worse than high temperatures, but no matter which side of the fence you’re on, there are plenty of things you can do to stay cool during the summer as the heat cranks up. 

Fans

Ceiling fans are also great helpers when it comes to staying cool during the summer. There are a wide range of fans that work for most households; we have one in almost every room of the house. We keep our fans on about 80% of the time so we can keep the temperature more regulated in eat of the rooms. We have floor vents and the ceiling fans help bring the warm air up into the top of the room. We switch the fans direction in the winter time so the warm air is pushed down. Most ceiling fans have a switch on the side of them like the one in this picture.

Oscillating fans are an excellent option for larger rooms as they move the fresh air around the place well. This helps keep the air from smelling “stale”. I have this one in my bedroom. In addition to it moving air around the room, it also serves as a white noise machine for me. I have it on every night and even when I have snoozle doozles in the afternoon. Handheld fans are excellent for on the go and most of them fit into a handbag quite easily. You and I both know that you’re one hot mama, so you have to keep yourself cool on the go somehow, right?? 😉😁

Many people prefer to look into the possibility of an air condition unit – which is a great investment long term. When we built our house a couple of years ago, one of the first things on our must have list was central air! I can’t tell you how much nicer and more convenient it is than having window units. If you do, you should make sure you are keeping the unit well maintained, checking on the condensate pumps often, and having it looked at by a professional every year to keep it in tip top shape! 

Water

Water is definitely my favorite way of staying cool during summer. I keep a bottle of water with me at all times to help myself stay hydrated, especially when the heat kicks in. Technically it isn’t the heat itself, but the humidity that will get you perspiring and make your mouth feel dry. On really hot days, I will stick a bottle of water in the freezer so I can sip it throughout the day while it melts.

You’re supposed to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water per day, but I like to stick to drinking a gallon of water a day. I know, I know… That sounds like waaaay too much water; impossible even to drink that much in a day. I like to use the 10 to 15 gulp method. I fill up my 25 oz water bottle and take 10-15 large gulps. Usually I can drink 10-15 oz in that amount of gulps. If you can’t do that yet, start slow and build up to that. This water bottle also makes it easy to keep up with hydrating yourself with words of encouragement on the side if you need something more visual to help you out. It comes in so many cute colors too! I personally use this shaker bottle because I find it easier to gulp with a wider bottle mouth opening than a water bottle with a built in straw.

Cosmetics and Skincare

Another one of my favorite ways to stay cool during the summer is adding my face spritz, a gel eye mask, and even my roll-on deodorant into the fridge. Every time you use them, you get a burst of cooling sensation, ahhhh…. The gel eye mask can bring down any puffiness that you get due to the heat overnight too. I have been taking much better care of my skin over the last year and have seen such a huge improvement in my complexion. I use this this 11 piece korean skincare collection I got for my birthday last year and if I go without using it and get blemishes and acne, 1-2 uses clears my skin up so fast! The one I have has tons of product in it, so it’s lasted me a long time. It is a little pricey, but you can find a less expensive 8 piece set here. Following the routine from the kit has helped my skin so much that a lot of times, all I do is pencil in my brows and put on mascara and it looks great!

Clothing

If you are a lover of those cozy winter warmers, it might not be your favorite thing to need to swap them out. Fall and Winter outfits are so cute! However, cotton and linen are more breathable than most materials, so they are perfect for summer weather. You can make your wardrobe a little smaller by layering those materials in autumn and winter, so you can keep fewer bulky sweaters on hand. A lighter color is more likely to keep you cooler too. Layering vest tops with shirts or light fabrics is a great way to be dressed for either a change of weather during the day or to keep you covered and protected from the sun’s rays. I have several blankets scarves that I pair with my outfits to make sure I have some extra warmth if I need it. You can find these in the $3 $5 $7 spot in the front when you walk in in the fall sometimes and get them for cheaper.

Food

Heavier and heartier food takes more energy to digest, perfect for cold winter weather when you want to be a little lazy. This is why we will often turn to light meals as it gets warmer, odd way to stay cool during the summer, huh? But hey, whatever works! You can increase your hydration by ‘eating’ your water too. Fruits and vegetables that have a high water count, like watermelon and cucumber, can help you stay hydrated and fill you up too. Try having smaller, lighter meals during warm days and saving any cooking or hot food until later in the evening when you’re ready to settle in. I talk about how I changed the way I eat in this post as well as this post and that, as well as an increase in my water intake, helped me lose a bunch of weight!

Be Smart

Staying cool during the summer is easy, as long as you are smart about it! If you know that you don’t cope well in the heat, then try to plan any thing you need to do outside either early in the morning or later in the evening so you aren’t working during the warmest part of the day. Taking cool showers when you feel overheated, resting when you need to, and even pulling your blinds or curtains closed slightly can help increase the cool air within your home. Be smart about what you are doing and most importantly, listen to your body. If it’s telling you to slow down and rest for a bit, LISTEN TO IT! The goal is to enjoy your summer, not dread it. Now get yourself in gear and appreciate the warm weather coming your way!

Talk soon!

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