The average high temperature in Orlando during the summer is 90 degrees. Whew. That’s hot!
As the owner of ServiceOne Air Conditioning and Plumbing, I could tell you that the easiest way to stay cool is to stay inside, but that would be crazy because we live in this gorgeous subtropical climate with fantastic activities all around us.
So while I want you to come home to a cool and comfortable home, I don’t want to advocate you staying inside all the time!
Here are 5 surprising, easy ways to stay cool in the heat of the day and still be able to enjoy the outdoors.
ONE: Stay hydrated
Wait!
You’re rolling your eyes right now because you don’t think that staying hydrated is a “surprising” way to stay cool.
You’re right, but this is what IS surprising about staying hydrated:
There’s such a thing as drinking TOO much water!
You should not drink more than 48 ounces in an hour no matter how hot it is. The reason is that too much water dilutes the concentration of salt in your blood, and if the salt concentration gets too low, you can suffer from nausea, vomiting, and seizures.
Instead, drink about a cup of water every 15-20 minutes. This equates to ¾-1 quart of water per hour. It’s better to take continual small sips than to down a large amount all at one time.
Pure water is the best choice. If you choose energy drinks, beware of the number of calories and caffeine you may be consuming, and avoid alcohol and sugary sodas at all costs because these dehydrate you.
TWO: Choose your wardrobe wisely
Yes, you probably know that you shouldn’t wear black in the hot sun because it absorbs the heat.
You probably also know that wearing white is the best option for clothing that keeps you cool.
But you might not know what colors are the BEST to wear and what colors are the WORST to wear if you want to be cool.
A study done in Asia calculated the surface temperatures of clothes in different colors, and the results are somewhat surprising.
After white, the best colors to wear to keep you cool when it’s hot are yellow, gray, and then red. (Who would have guessed that what we consider to be “warm” colors on the color wheel – like yellow and red – can actually keep us cool?)
Some of the colors that we consider “cool” colors – like blue and green – are actually the WORST to wear in hot weather.
Surprisingly, purple falls in the middle of the scale, so if that’s your hue, you can put it on and still stay cool!
THREE: Hot heads need hats!
Not only can you be a statement in style, but you can stay cooler by wearing a hat in the hot sun.
The National Weather Service suggests that wearing a hat can protect you from sunburn. They can also protect your eyes from damage and make it easier to see in bright light. One study showed that runners who wore hats during races had lowered body temperatures and lower heart rates than those who didn’t. An additional study also showed that soldiers who wore helmets during hot weather had lower body temperatures.
Many hats are designed using loosely-woven or mesh materials. Headgear with open weave fabric helps decrease sweat, encourages airflow, and is a good choice for keeping cool.
FOUR: Pulse points, fashion, and beauty
One quick technique for cooling down is to rub an ice cube or run cold water over your pulse points. Your wrists are the easiest, but you can also target the back of your knees, the inside of your elbow, or your neck. Since the blood vessels are close to the surface here, the temperature of your blood gets cooled down and pumped immediately through your veins.
A variation of this idea is to don a damp bandana or neck scarf. Dip it in cold water, wring it out, and you can look good while letting the cool liquid lower your body temperature.
FIVE: Oil, don’t boil!
Many essential oils promote cooling by activating a protein in your body called TRPM8. This protein stimulates the cold-sensing nerves. Think about the cooling effect of menthol, an ingredient in peppermint oil.
Essential oils can be dripped into a cool bath, mixed with water as a spritzer for clothes and bedding, or combined with lotions to both moisturize and cool your body.
Some of the best “cooling” essential oils are eucalyptus, chamomile, geranium, lavender, lime, and orange.
You’ll be cool, and you’ll smell fresh instead of sweaty.
SIX: Call ServiceOne Air Conditioning & Plumbing
No matter how much time you spend outdoors in the heat, when you come home you want it to be cool and comfortable.
Call ServiceOne. We can give you quotes on new equipment, do routine maintenance to keep your system operating at top efficiency, and make repairs to keep you cool and comfortable. We’ve got financing options, manufacturers’ rebates, and tax credits that make air conditioning your home cooler than you ever thought possible!