In the Northern Hemisphere, there's no doubt summer is here — and
with it, the perpetual quest to stay cool. For those of us interested in
sustainability, the thought of huge summer cooling bills (and all the
greenhouse emissions they cause) is enough to send a chill down the
spine.
You've probably already heard the basics of summertime energy
management: keep your air conditioner filters clean, make sure your
weather stripping is tight, draw the drapes during the heat of the day,
and avoid the use of big heat-creating appliances like ovens and ranges
whenever possible. If you want a quick review of hot weather
energy-saving ideas, check this
giant list of summer cooling tips.
But there are other ways to keep your cool through the summer.
We've rounded up five for your consideration, including several
tried-and-true methods from the days before central air. Give one or two
a shot, and see how they work for you.
1) Go tropical
Take the lead of those who spend most of their lives in tropical climates: loose, lightweight cotton and linen clothing rules.
The
guayabera, sometimes called the "Mexican wedding shirt," is constructed to cool you naturally. A relative of the traditional Filipino
barong,
the guayabera wicks moisture from the skin and is worn untucked to
promote air circulation. Madras is another good summertime choice for
both men's and women's clothing.
Don't forget the old standard of the American Deep South:
seersucker. Originally an Indian import, its crisp cotton and cooling
ridges make it a hot weather classic.
2) Cool that pulse point
When you were sick as a child, your mom may have brought you a cold facecloth. This idea works the same way.
Chill your pulse points by running cold water over your wrist for a
minute or so each hour. Splashing water on your temples or face can
produce a similar effect. And be sure to put some of that tap water into
a glass and stay hydrated.
3) Don't eat: Graze
Ever notice how you feel hot after a big meal? It's not just because the food was served warm.
Big, protein-laden meals force your body to stoke its metabolic
fires. The solution is to break up your eating into smaller, more
frequent meals. You'll feel cooler — and it's better for you, anyway.
4) Eat to sweat
Latin America, India, Thailand — some of the world's hottest places. And they happen to serve some of the world's hottest foods.
Scientists have argued for years over why this is the case, but the
most likely reason is that spicy foods make you sweat without actually
raising body temperature. Chalk it up to
capsaicin, a chemical found in things like hot peppers. Once your skin is damp, you'll feel cooled by its evaporation.
5) Stay cool under the covers
A lot of people find it difficult to sleep in hot weather.
Want to cool the bed down? Fill a standard hot water bottle with
ice water. Use it to cool your ankles and the back of your knees — it
works. You can also try bagging your sheets and tossing them in the
freezer for an hour or two before bed.
Cooling your head cools your entire body. Opt for a cool and
absorbent pillow of organic cotton if at all possible. Put aside down
and latex pillows until the weather cools down this autumn.
Courtesy of Mother Nature Network
