We’re in the heart of the dogs days of summer now, and the weather is definitely letting us know it. With extreme temperatures making their way across the country, Americans all over are looking for fun ways to stay cool while enjoying the outdoors. Summer scorchers can really be hard on the body, so it is more important than ever to stay hydrated so that your natural air conditioner (the one in your body) can stay running. But aside from drinking plenty of H2O to keep yourself cool, what else can you do? Our energy is so easily depleted during these hot days that while we want to get outside, the idea of it is not so fun. Three ways to keep yourself comfortable during extreme summer temperatures As we said, the body needs to stay hydrated to ensure that it is operating as effectively as possible. And though hydration is a critical component of summer survival, it is vital that you also know your body and how to help yourself cool down quickly if needed. Your wrists and your neck are your body’s natural cooling points. So, if you find yourself overheating, consider wrapping ice cubes or cold packs in a towel, and then applying them to these points. This can help your body in desperate situations when you need to cool down fast. Also, try some of these other tricks to stay comfortable.

1. It isn’t necessary to have that air conditioner running at full force. Not only is this inefficient, but it means excess expense too that could otherwise be avoided. Keep your windows closed and use closed insulated curtains during daytime hours to keep the sun out. Then, during the evening, when the sun starts to fade and temperatures begin to cool, open the curtains. You can also consider hanging a cold moistened towel in front of your window to keep cool air flowing into the home when the windows are open.
2. Change your eating habits to lighter fare that does not require you to use the oven. The summertime is perfect for fresh salads and veggies (especially if you grow these items in your own garden). Chilled soups can also be refreshing and healthy. Think of chilled watermelon soups - yum! Not only are these lighter fares more comfortable for your body to process in the summertime, but avoiding the use of the oven will keep your home from heating up when not necessary. Crockpots, Instant pots, and rice cookers are great for this time of year too as they do not create much heat outside of the unit itself.
3. Use your fans to help reduce the demand on the air conditioning unit. Face your fan out, rather than inwards during the evening hours will help keep your room cooler so that you can sleep more comfortably. You can use an automatic temperature system to turn the fan on or off based on your ideal temperature. As a result, you will be bound to save some money off of that electrical bill.

Don’t avoid the summer Though it may be tempting, and though you do need to pay attention to your body, don’t think that you need to avoid summer altogether. Be wearing moisture-wicking and breathable clothing, by staying hydrated, and by leveraging the basic strategies mentioned above, you can help yourself to be more comfortable than ever. Summer is a time of fun and activity, and it is good for our bodies to get outside and enjoy mother nature’s creations. So, grab a water bottle, toss on some shorts, a t-shirt, and some comfy flip-flops, and get out there and enjoy!