Focus On Health > Ten Ways to Beat the Heat

Focus on Health

Ten Ways to Beat the Heat

Taming the season’s high temperatures with safe activities, hydration, and light food will help you stay happy and healthy. Even on summer’s hottest days, keep your cool with the following tips.

1. Plan ahead so you can be active when the sun isn’t at its peak. Get out early to garden in the morning or take slow laps with your dog later at night, when the temperature is lower.
2. Spritz yourself. Keep a spray bottle in the refrigerator and when you come in from outside, give yourself a cool and refreshing spritz. As the water evaporates, it helps bring your body temperature down.
3. Lighten up. Instead of a giant hamburger, opt for a fresh summer salad for lunch, which is easier for your body to digest and won’t leave you feeling sluggish in the summer heat.
4. Embrace the aquatic life. Consider trying any number of water-centric activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, water aerobics, or swimming.
5. Stay hydrated. It’s easy to become so preoccupied with summertime fun that you forget to drink enough water. Keep your water bottle handy, or cool off with hydrating fruits, like watermelon.
6. Go bare (foot, that is). Not only is running around without shoes more playful, it can also keep you cooler. Shuck your shoes, but watch your step.
7. No A/C? No problem. Head off to the mall to get your steps in and do some window shopping to boot.
8. Freeze fresh fruit, like blackberries or blueberries, and use it to chill your iced tea or flavor your water.
9. Cool your whole body, creatively. Dip a towel in cold water and apply to your pulse points (the underside of your wrists and the back of your knees and neck).
10. Stay sun-savvy. Educate yourself on what SPF sunscreen you should use, what UVA and UVB protection times are, and how much sunscreen you should apply to each part of your body.