Staying cool in the summer

[RaysEbooks]

A friend of mine told me that her parents used to take her to the mall on hot summer days to stay cool. At first i laughed at it...

but, its brilliant.

Another thing you can do is visit the library. In New York they have ACs, internet access, and peace and quiet.

Another option is going into a barns and noble and just lounging around for the day.

Public pools are also a free option depending where you live.

What else is out there?

[PrincessPerky]

If you have AC at home, but don't like to pay to keep it very cool, simply walking out to get the mail or a quick trip around the block, brings a new perspective on the house temp.

Drinking real fluids helps you feel cooler (not caffeinated/fake sugar/alcoholic ones)..real like water, juice, lightly sweetened lemonade, etc.

Eating juicy foods helps too (fruit, not steak..though nothing wrong with a juicy steak!)

Some parks have public sprinklers. or fountains. Though you technically don't belong in one, you can certainly wander past and hope wind sends refreshing water your way. (unless you are too grown up for water fun...)

[WiseOwl]

Believe it or not, hot tea is the beverage of choice in India, a very hot country in most areas. And it's cheap!

It does work. See what interesting facts you can pick up when you love Indian food!

[Razzy]

Or you can make or buy a couple of cooling neckties to help you keep cool in the summer. They are simple to make and they can save you money.

Razzy

[Gossioii4]

Thanks

Looks like your question thing at the end of the post worked. Also not having to sign in is nice too. Good job. Nice list. Thanks.

[maryannsms]

Never underestimate the clothes you choose and the makeup you wear. Summer is not a good time for too much product in your hair and makeup on your face. They melt far too easily, and often end up feeling and looking like more of a hassle than they are worth. Also, be sure to wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothes. They attract the least amount of sun, and can help you feel comfortable when you are out in the sun. I prefer linen and cotton to polyester, wool, and other synthetics.

[graceful]

Ceiling fans and window fans help especially at night. Keeps us from having to turn on the a/c in the summer as long as possible. We use our window a/c's only during heatwaves.

[Denise4kids]

I bought sun blocking blinds last summer-they work so well at keeping the sun from coming in and heating up my home. Although I LOVE sunshine, it heats up the house quickly so its nice to just leave the blinds down and the house cool in the lazy dog days of summer!

[Rattus Norvegicus]

<snip>
What else is out there?
</snip>

Norway

[stressedmama]

In the Midwest, during the summer on various days of the week in the late morning, movie theaters offer free family friendly (G and PG) movies.

[gogirlanime]

There are public sprinklers or city fountains in most major cities that you can cool off in. Seattle has one the Seattle Center Musical Water Fountain it runs all year and the water is drained and refreshed before it comes back up the only problem is I'm pretty far from Seattle, but if I'm in the area when it's hot.

[JoeP]

I like to stay cool at a lake, just a lawn chair in the shallow area.

Iced tea is another favorite (plain, no sugar or lemon), preferred over alcohol.

Lastly, I like to retreat to my basement and watch a good movie on netflix or a DVD. It is a soothing 65-68F down there in the summer.

[Rainbow Traveller]

Keeping cool when temperatures reach record highs isn't just about comfort. Dangerously high temperatures can result in heat-related illnesses ranging from heat cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The following tips can help you keep cool all summer long.

Alter your pattern of outdoor exercise to take advantage of cooler times (early morning or late evening). If you can't change the time of your workout, scale it down by doing fewer minutes, walking instead or running, or decreasing your level of exertion.
Wear loose-fitting clothing, preferably of a light color.
Cotton clothing will keep you cooler than many synthetics.
Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the refrigerator for a quick refreshing spray to your face after being outdoors.
Fans can help circulate air and make you feel cooler even in an air-conditioned house.
Try storing lotions or cosmetic toners in the refrigerator to use on hot, overtired feet.
Keep plastic bottles of water in the freezer; grab one when you're ready to go outside. As the ice melts, you'll have a supply of cold water with you.
Take frequent baths or showers with cool or tepid water.
Combat dehydration by drinking plenty of water along with sports drinks or other sources of electrolytes.
Some people swear by small, portable, battery-powered fans. At an outdoor event I even saw a version that attaches to a water bottle that sprays a cooling mist.
I learned this trick from a tennis pro: if you're wearing a cap or hat, remove it and pour a bit of ice cold water into the hat, then quickly invert it and place on your head.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these will promote dehydration.
Instead of hot foods, try lighter summer fare including frequent small meals or snacks containing cold fruit or low fat dairy products. As an added benefit, you won't have to cook next to a hot stove.
If you don't have air-conditioning, arrange to spend at least parts of the day in a shopping mall, public library, movie theater, or other public space that is cool. Many cities have cooling centers that are open to the public on sweltering days.
Finally, use common sense. If the heat is intolerable, stay indoors when you can and avoid activities in direct sunlight or on hot asphalt surfaces. Pay special attention to the elderly, infants, and anyone with a chronic illness, as they may dehydrate easily and be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Don't forget that pets also need protection from dehydration and heat-related illnesses too.

[apexair]

If you have AC,Make sure the setting on the AC is on "high" to move the air through faster and farther. This is not the "colder-to-warmer" settings. That uses very little additional power, but may make a louder "shushing" air sound.

[cris22]

Wearing sleeveless shirts and spending under the shade of trees is a great way to stay comfortable during summer.