Right here on our sunny island, temperatures above the 30-degree mark are not uncommon, and the heat can get really unbearable in dry spells with the high humidity. Here are some tips to cool you down in the sweltering heat!
Go Light and Airy
Wear loose tting clothes and avoid dark colours. Avoid tight tting hats or caps as we lose a major portion of body heat through the head. Choose a loose tting one made of mesh or other breathable material instead. Go summery with creams and whites – these colours help to re ect the sun’s radiation.
Smaller, Lighter Meals
Your body warms up as it works to process larger meals. Metabolic heat is needed to break down food, so eating smaller portions can help keep you cooler. Also, opt for vegetables and fruits over meat as it causes your body to produce more heat.
Cotton is Your Best Friend
Cotton clothing will keep you cooler than many synthetics. The same applies to your bed linens.
For cooler nights, use lightweight cotton that are breathable and help promote ventilation and air ow in the bedroom.
Take Deep Breaths
Breathing can cool you down if you do it right: Roll your tongue and breathe slowly through the mouth. Breathe in through your rolled tongue and exhale through the nose. The former will help lower body heat and ease stress, while the latter should allow your saliva to cool the air you breathe in before it enters your lungs.
Water is Vital
Sweating can cause dehydration, making you more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water throughout the day helps to bring your body temperature down.
Face Your Fan Out
When your fan is facing out the window, it blows hot air out of the room, which is replaced by cold air from outside. As the cold air comes in, the temperature is lowered. Keep in mind this only works at times when the outside air is cooler than the air inside.
Counterclockwise is The Way To Go
Ever wondered why the room is still stuffy even though you have switched on your ceiling fan to the maximum? It may be running in the wrong direction. Fans moving clockwise will create an updraft effect, pulling warm air near the ceiling downwards, distributing it around the room; those running in the opposite direction creates a downdraft of air that will circulate and create a cooling breeze. Look for the switch that allows you to change the direction, or climb up near the base of the fan and look for a little button or switch that allows you to do so.
Throw In The Towel
Hang a damp towel on your window, preferably light-coloured. Check the towel and wet it again with cold water when it starts to dry out. The evaporating water will cool the incoming breeze. Complement this by running a ceiling fan counterclockwise to keep the cool air circulating.
Stay Away from the Stove
If you are not a fan of spicy foods, chow down on cool, room-temperature dishes instead. Salads, gazpachos, bruschettas and sobas are popular choices to avoid generating any more heat in the house.
Stop Fanning Yourself
At least, with your hands. While there is no doubt that fanning will create a rush of air and make you feel cooler, this is only temporary. The vigorous action uses energy and generates heat as well, raising your body temperature in the long-run. If you really want to fan yourself, use a piece of white paper or exible object – something with a large surface area to create a fanning movement without putting in much effort.
Stay Calm, Relax and Daydream
The heat can get you clustered and irritated, but this is exactly when you should stay calm. One of the easiest way is to just close your eyes, sit back, relax and stare into blank air, or, daydream – research has shown that the body reacts to daydreams and lowers its temperature. Alternatively, clear your mind by making some time for meditation daily or listening to some beautiful music.
Eat Curries and Chillies
This might be the last thing that will ever cross your mind on a hot afternoon – having spicy food for lunch. You might be surprised to know that spicy food helps to cool you down: Curries and chillies may stimulate heat receptors in the mouth, but at the same time, these foods enhance circulation and cause sweating, which cools the body down. It’s no coincidence that some of the hottest locations worldwide have the spiciest food.
Unplug Everything Not in Use
Everything you plug into a socket produces heat. Unplug all unnecessary appliances or electronics when not in use. Even those little red glowing lights that indicate that the appliance is not in use drain energy and produce heat. Turning something off is not enough: Unplug to relieve yourself from higher temperatures and expensive utilities bills.
Open The Door
Keep all the doors in your apartment open – this allows air to ow freely through the rooms. A great air ow means a cooler home, so keep inside doors open unless you want those rooms to become sti ing ovens.
Sleep Like an Eagle
Sleeping stretched out in a spread eagle position where your arms and legs don’t touch each other is the best way to reduce body heat, allowing air to circulate around the body. If you have a straw or bamboo mat, use them instead of sleeping on bed linens.
Shut the Curtains
This is pretty much common sense: Keep your curtains closed during the day to shade your rooms (when no one is at home) and prevent the sun from getting in. In this way, you won’t nd yourself in a heated apartment when you return home after work.
Cool Your Pulse Points
Bring your temperature down by cooling your pulse points – the areas of the body where blood vessels are closest to the skin – the wrists, ankles, and neck areas with a damp towel or cold compresses. This helps to cool both your blood and body temperature.
