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5 Ways to Stay Cool this Summer

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The hot weather is here. While many of us may have wished for hotter temperatures when the polar vortex blew through, some of us may have reconsidered after stepping outside lately. In an effort to help you beat the heat, here are 5 ways to stay cool.

1.)    Stay hydrated– This may be a no brainer for many, but the number of people who don’t stay properly hydrated is alarming. It is always best to drink water to stay hydrated, instead of sodas or any other drink. This heat makes it extremely important to have access to water wherever you are. This is why a reusable water bottle such as the Brita Bottle Water Purifier will be great to use. This Brita bottle gives you filtered water perfect for on-the-go use. You can also recycle the Brita filter that is inside this bottle.

2.)    Adjust your AC– During these hot summer months the air conditioner may be your best friend. Typically, you will want your air conditioning unit adjusted to a temperature of 72 degrees during the summer. You may also want a programmable thermostat. This will allow you to set home temperatures according to different factors and will save you money in the long run. We suggest the Honeywell FocusPro 6000 which is easy to use and features precise comfort control. This will also be a good time to conduct routine maintenance for your air conditioner so it doesn’t break down at an inopportune time.

3.)    Limit outdoor activity as much as possible– Sometimes one of the simplest ways to beat the heat is to limit any outdoor activity to early morning and evening hours when the temperatures are not at their peak.

4.)    Learn your body’s cooling spots- Did you know there are certain spots on your body that allow you to cool off quickly? Neck, wrists, top of your feet and inside of your ankles are great cooling spots for your body. Just put your ice pack (or whatever you use to cool off) on these areas and you will cool off in no time. Why does this work? Two words-pulse points. These are areas where you can feel your pulse because your blood vessels are close to the surface of your skin. Because they are close, you can also cool off your blood and body temperature by getting the area in contact with cool water.

5.)    Eat cool– There’s a reason why ice cream sales are higher in July than any other month. So what better and more delicious way is there to beat the heat than eating a frozen treat? Cool yourself from the inside out by eating ice cream, popsicles or any other frozen delight. You will feel a lot cooler afterwards.

What tips do you have to beat the heat this summer? Share your suggestions below.

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“January in July”: The Mysterious Case of Over-Cooling in the Summer

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ColdIn the sweltering heat of the summer you may have noticed the contrast between the high temperatures outside and the frigid indoor temperatures of certain buildings. In the New York Times‘ Sunday Review, Elisabeth Rosenthal noted this common disparity, pointing out how she often needs to wear a sweatshirt indoors when the weather outside is close to 100 degrees.

The recommended setting for a thermostat during the summer is 78 degrees, which helps conserve energy costs and fights against increasing greenhouse gas emissions. However, many homes and businesses set their thermostats to temperatures in the low 70s or high 60s. Many are aware of this trend, which explains why some will go to a movie theater simply to escape the heat.

Rosenthal explains that this is likely attributed to the expectation of having “January in July.” Alan Hedge, a Cornell University professor specializing in Design and Environmental Analysis, states that “in the United States there is a strong marketing emphasis on cold. When you get a soda it’s chock full of ice. We serve beer chilled. We make a virtue of freezing things.”

And certainly it’s the people being chilled too. Low indoor temperatures were once a necessary trend, but many wonder if it’s necessary now when air conditioning has become such a staple of residences. Businesses across the world have started to reduce what is known as “over-cooling.” Whether it’s Italian energy company Eni or Japan’s Cool Biz initiative to increase thermostats to around 80 degrees, the issue has been noted and solutions are being offered.

While some may enjoy the cold or not deem it necessary to do anything about over-cooling, Rosenthal argues that the rising cost of energy and the increase of greenhouse gas emissions make this is a necessary endeavor.

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