Surviving the Summer Heat Without a Melt Down

Summer can be a particularly challenging and uncomfortable time if you do not have air conditioning or another sure-fire way to chill out.  Dehydration and heat stroke are real risks when the mercury skyrockets, and it tends to sneak up on people who insist that they are fine.  If you are living without A/C or another type of cooling system; here are a few things you can and should do to protect yourself from the heat and make your summer more enjoyable. 

Taking Advantage of the Summer Breeze

The biggest mistake you can make in a house that does not have air conditioning is to think that you are better off inside.  While your roof and walls provide you with much protection from the sun’s rays, they also absorb a lot of heat and box you in with it.  Even a box fan cannot compete with a summer breeze and the free movement of air that you get outdoors. 

The shade of an umbrella or patio covering is much more efficient when it comes to keeping you cool.  Both of these options are typically very affordable, and when you combine outdoors shade and that old box fan—instant relief.  For decades, before air conditioning was invented, people spent their summers happily in wood rocking chairs on shaded porches. 

Taking Advantage of the Cooling Power of Water

Fortunately for people who smartly spend their summers relaxing in shaded outdoors areas these days, there are also other devices for helping you stay cool when the sun beats down, such as water misters.  These come in a wide range of models, some with fans others without.  Whichever you are looking for, you can usually find high-quality products at the following websites: coolingline.com and cool-off.com. 

Even if you don’t want to buy a misting system, you can still take advantage of the cooling properties of water, which your body is going to take advantage of by sweating anyway.  You can prevent a lot of dehydration by cooling yourself with water from an external source rather than making your body sweat it out. 

Remember how much fun you had running through the sprinkler in the summer as a kid?  There is no reason to quit doing it just because you are grown up and might look slightly ridiculous.  Move it to the backyard and go wild.  Or, if that’s not your style, get yourself a respectable kiddy pool that you can lounge in with a cup of ice-cold lemonade. 

Take It Easy, and Drink Lots of Water

Whatever you decide to drink to stay cool, make sure that you avoid things like caffeine and alcohol, as they will only dehydrate you further.  Also, drinking sugary beverages is not a good way to stay hydrated; you should drink at least as much water as what you drink in other beverages. 

You should also keep in mind that physical activity elevates your body temperature very quickly.  There is no shame in taking it easy when the temperature outside is at its worst.  Read a book, bring the TV outside, take up knitting . . . anything you have to do to keep yourself relaxed and cool.  Just keep electrical safety in mind if you are using a misting system and a television at the same time. 

Additional Considerations

If you are seeking shelter from the heat outdoors is the local insect population.  Mosquitoes and ticks will not only make you very uncomfortable, but they can also carry diseases.  Make sure you wear insect repellant if this is a concern in your area. 

Other things you can do to beat the heat include swimming at a local swimming pool or lake (if the water is safe), going for a drive with the windows down, getting ice cream or some other frozen dessert, having a water gun fight—the list goes on and on.  Just remember to stay hydrated and pay attention to your body. 

About the Author

When she is not enjoying the cool weather of the Colorado mountains, Kimberly Aardal reviews and writes informational articles about rocking chairs, published at EveryDayRockingChairs.com.  Kimberly is dedicated to helping consumers find the right rocker for them, whether that is an Adirondack rocker chair or a Dutailier reclining glider.