Get wet
- Run cold water on the inside of your wrists. Or apply ice in a washcloth.
- Wet your hair.
- Soak your feet in a bucket of cold water.
- Take frequent cool showers, and afterwards leave your skin and hair wet.
- Take a bath. Every few minutes, let some water out and add cold water.
- Soak your synthetic shirt.
- Spray water on your sleeves and pant legs.
- Spray water on your face and neck throughout the day.
- Wrap a wet towel around your neck or head.
At home
- Open windows and curtains at night; close during the day.
- Stay downstairs.
- Use electric fans. Blow them on ice, wet clothes, or exposed skin.
- Run a fan between the open window and the bed so it will draw in cooler night air.
- Get on an early schedule. Do physical tasks during the coolest hours: 4 to 7 a.m.
- Avoid heaters: Wash your clothes in cold water, then hang them up wet instead of using the dryer.
- Avoid TVs, PCs, lights.
Food
- Sip ice water throughout the day. Avoid caffeine, hot drinks, sugar and alchohol.
- Eat cold food: Fresh fruit, cottage cheese, yogurt, sandwiches, salads, and vegetable juice. Avoid protein.
- Cook with microwave. Avoid burners and boiling which heat your home.
- Spices increase sweat and distract you from the heat.
- Freeze chopped fruit (watermelon or pineapple).
Outside
- Stay inside around noon.
- Stay in the shade. Find a breezy spot to sit.
- Wear a hat and a light colored, loose, cotton, long-sleeve shirt.
- Visit an air-conditioned mall, library, church, movie theater, bookstore, or friends house. Work with their wifi.
Anywhere
- Hold ice until it hurts.
- Blow into a glass of ice cubes.
- Take 5-10 deep breaths, inhaling through your mouth, and exhaling through your nose. Stick your tongue out through an "o" shaped mouth.
- Avoid hand fans: The calories spent in moving them make you hotter!
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Stay cool August 21, 2007
