We are in the full midst of summer and the temperatures have not been forgiving. If you live in a hot-as-hell climate like we are in Southern California, then there are safe and sane steps you can take to keep your family, pets, and plants safe this year.
As a human mom, plant mom, and pet mom, I do worry that all my beloved living things are melting in the hot heat. But when Mother Nature punishes us with these excruciatingly hot temperatures, we must do what we can to survive. Below I’ve listed easy, economical, and fun ways to keep cool this summer while also benefiting the environment.
10 EASY WAYS TO KEEP COOL IN THE SUMMER:
1 – Invest in high quality portable fans. Keeping the AC on all day might be great at keeping cool, but it also drains a lot of energy and can get expensive. If you must use the air conditioner, use it only for a couple of hours from 12-2pm and make sure all the windows and doors are closed to keep the cool air inside. Portable fans are awesome for a small room and for moving it around to the necessary areas. I found some good ones on Amazon last year and had to get another one this year when our AC wasn’t cooperating. Check out these nice ones from Amazon:Â Dyson, Dreo, and Lasko. Many of these brands are having a sale right now on Amazon, so take advantage while you can.
2 – Eat food that helps you cool down. Food such as watermelon, cucumber, honeydew, cantaloupe, radish, daikon, and celery are all cooling foods and can also help reduce inflammation. During hotter days, try not to eat food that can cause too much heat and inflammation. Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables to get the freshest varieties possible. According to Dr. Erlene Chiang, Executive Director of Wen Wu School, you should eat more fresh produce such as radishes, daikon, watermelon, and other melons. In addition to being juicy and refreshing, these foods have alkaline properties and hydrate the Yin elements of the body.
3 – Keep pets and young children away from the heat. Domesticated animals and young children have a harder time regulating their body temperature. During the hot summer months, keep pets and young children indoors whenever possible. If you are to travel with them, try to do so early in the morning before 11 AM or in the afternoon after 4 PM. According to PetMD, both dogs and cats dissipate heat by panting [and] as they get overheated, they pant more quickly trying to maintain a safe internal temperature. However, if a dog or cat gets too hot, they risk developing heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Know and understand the signs of heatstroke in children and animals and do your best to prevent them.
4 – Drink plenty of water and cool liquids. Drink plenty of fluid 24 hours before the arrival of hot weather to give your cells time to become hydrated. Water is essential to the good health of our bodies and brain. Equally, be sure to hydrate yourself, your children, and your pets throughout the day especially when temperatures reach above the normal level. Avoid sweetened beverages as your brain receptors do not register liquids immediately, therefore, too much sweetened beverages will end up harming your body. Clean, pure water is the best choice for everyone, especially your plants.
5 – Water your plants efficiently. The best times to water your outdoor plants is before it gets too hot. Improper watering can lead to root rot and plant stress. It’s best to water either early in the morning or evening, and try to keep a consistent schedule so your plants and soil can adjust accordingly.
6 – Create natural shades outdoors. If you want to enjoy your yard in the summer, then be prepared for proper shading. A shade umbrella, shade sail, or Pop Up Gazebo will work wonders in keeping your yard cool. Large shading trees such as Maple, Oak, and Redwood can live for many years in your front yard or backyard. Of course those can also take many years to grow to the height that appropriates into shade trees, but you can pick up some medium sized ones from your local garden nurseries or home improvement stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s. I try to support local nurseries since they carry more native trees and are well kept by horticulturists. Trees not only provide helpful shade, but can benefit the soil and natural eco system.
7 – Keep cool towels in the freezer. An environmental and economical idea is to keep small towels in your freezer. Run water through your towels and set them in the freezer until they are frozen solid. This is a great way to keep everyone cool throughout the day and it saves electricity in your house. Keep these towels separated from meat so you don’t pick up unnecessary scents on your towels. Frozen towels are great for year-round, so keep a few of them in your freezer but don’t forget to rotate them out.
8 – Keep your skin cool. Your skin absorbs heat easily so keeping it cool is the first step in preventing heatstroke. I like to use Jade Rollers as a regular beauty routine, and if you’ve never tried it then you really should! Jade rollers are an ancient method of smoothing your skin and when you put them in the freezer or the refrigerator for a few hours, you end up with an instant spa like treatment. Start by rolling it over your face and around your neck. You will feel an instant cooling sensation that’s refreshing and luxurious.
9 – Keep exercises and walking to a minimum. Summertime also means enjoying the outdoors with your kids and pets. And while that is essential to good health, choosing the right time is crucial when it’s blistering hot outside. The Sun is at its peak between the hours of 11AM and 3PM, so try to stay indoors or shaded areas if you’re already outside. You can also wear Neck Fans, which is a cool gadget for humans and pets. These easy to use fans go around your neck while you’re outdoors or inside on hotter days. I’ve seen people use these for their dogs and as long as your pets don’t bite or scratch them, they are a lifesaver for your pets.
10 – Wear cool clothing. Cool clothes can be both cool and cool. Get it? Yes, okay moving on 🙂 When the temperature is too hot both indoors and outdoors, be sure to wear cool fabrics such as 100% cotton, silk, rayon, and linen. These natural fabrics circulate air between the material and your body and can also be lighter in weight. Additionally, keep your kids cool by giving them clothes that don’t have a lot of buttons and zippers. These type of fasteners can get itchy and irritate the skin especially when sweating.
This summer as temperatures rise throughout the world, the best ways to keep cool is minimize extraneous activities, stay indoors when possible, cool down naturally with fans, and drink plenty of water and light liquids.
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* The medical/health information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice, unless indicated. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, I encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals.
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