Summer 2011 is definitely a HOT one! Many cities across the country broke record temperatures in July. The heat index for one city in Minnesota had a high of 123 degrees, while in Iowa it got up to a scorching 129 degrees! While heat is a summer standard across the U.S., many people deal with it well into the early months of Fall, right around the start of the new school year.

Here are some cheap and easy tips to stay cool for the rest of the summer and when you start hitting the books again this Fall.

Chill your pulse

Try running cold water over your pulse points, specifically near your wrists and ankles. Your temples and forehead are a great place to put a cool washcloth as well. The idea behind this is that as your body circulates blood the coolness will move through the rest of your body. If you are in class, step out for a quick second and run your wrists under the faucet in the bathroom. You won’t be able to concentrate if you’re sweating up a storm.

Wear loose, cool clothing

This is probably an obvious tip, but wear loose-fitting clothing like shorts and short sleeve t-shirts. The lighter the clothing, the less absorbent it will be to heat. Lighter colored clothing essentially absorbs less light from the sun and therefore radiates less heat.  Darker clothing absorbs more heat than lighter clothing does.

Drink lots of water

Stay clear of caffeinated drinks. They may cool you down temporarily, but they also tend to dehydrate you. Did you know that some studies recommend drinking around eight glasses of water a day! Opt for the H20. Bring a portable water bottle or canteen with you wherever you go: to the beach, to work, or to class.

Eat really, really slow

Have you ever been told to eat more frequent, smaller meals throughout the day? When you consume larger meals your body usually has to stoke its metabolism, increasing your body’s temperature. Opt for snacks throughout the day. This works perfectly when trying to stay cool during the summer months and you won’t feel starved once lunch or dinner rolls around either.

 

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