6 Ways To Stay Cool This Summer Without Air Conditioning

Summer is here, and not playing any games when it comes to this heat. Unfortunately, many places are experiencing heat waves, and people are in distress. And as easy as it is to switch on the AC, some people do not have that luxury of owning one or are looking for ways to bring the electric bill down, not up. So how can you cool if you fall into one of those categories? In true Black Health Matters fashion, we have listed 10 ways to stay cool this summer without air conditioning.

As we know, when the sun comes out, so do people. We all want to participate in summer activities but must keep calm. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, our bodies shouldn’t be too hot for too long because too much heat can harm our organs. Sweating is our body’s natural cooling system, but sometimes it is not enough, and we can develop heat-related illness hyperthermia.

Top 6 Ways to Stay Cool

1. Stay hydrated – Hydrating your body is the first and best way to cool yourself down. And one fact I learned is that it does not matter what temperature the water is because the water is there for moisture to cool itself.
2. Take a cold shower/bath – A cold shower/bath helps cool your body by lower your core temperature. Experts recommend adding peppermint soap to elevate the coolness. The menthol activates brain receptors to tell it that it’s feeling cool.
3. Box fan – This is one trick my grandparents used since they didn’t have air conditioning to combat the California sun. Place a box of fans out the window of a room you’re in to blow out the hot air and replace it with cool air.
4. Blackout Curtains – One word, LIFESAVER! If your room faces the sun, you want blackout curtains for your windows. Blackout curtains block out the sun and help reduce the room’s temperature.
5. Use a cold cloth or ice pack on your neck and wrists – Drape these cold items on your wrist or neck to keep cool. They contain pulse points where the blood vessels are close to the skin, which will cool you down more quickly.
6. Sleep in breathable linens – Cotton is one of the most breathable materials; it will help keep you cool through the night. Also, the lower the cotton thread count, the more breathable it is.