5 unusual ways to stay cool

Staying cool during the summer needn't mean running the air conditioner all day long. Here are five ways to beat the heat you may not have considered.

By Chris BaskindTue, Apr 27 2010 at 3:58 PM EST 14 Comments

KEEP YOUR COOL: Follow these temperature tips. (Photo: elvissa/Flickr)

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.

Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to also reread our article on choosing a safer deodorant.

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 it at all possible. Put aside down and latex pillows until the weather cools down this autumn.

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SUN GLASSES

Posted By Emily - Mon, Jul 05 2010 at 3:35 PM EST

When you read a book, do it in the shade while wearing sunglasses. For some strange reason my eyes feel good and not strained from the sun. also it makes me feel cooler.

Even more ideas

Posted By Karras - Fri, Jul 02 2010 at 12:18 PM EST

I'll bet everyone's heard of putting a bowl of ice in front of a fan, works. Old dancer's trick: keep a towel in freezer. Drape towel from back of neck around your neck, letting the ends hang loose in front. Works.

naked spray bottle

Posted By felicia - Wed, Jun 30 2010 at 3:18 AM EST

so hot even my lungs felt sweaty lol so my bf and i, too hot to move past foreplay decided to lay on our bed with a spray bottle filled with ice water and spray the cold mist straight up above u. the feeling of that icey cold mist falling on our sweaty naked bodies was amazing! totally cooled us off and gave us some thing to laugh about as we eventually got goosebumps lol

Hate the heat

Posted By Jess Raffa - Mon, Jun 28 2010 at 3:17 PM EST

Are you sure these work.

hi

Posted By jam - Sun, Jun 27 2010 at 10:09 AM EST

super weird none of the tips work

old-timey tip

Posted By NC Green - Mon, Jun 21 2010 at 9:28 AM EST

Some old-worldy wisdom from my grandmother: Put ice cubes, or anything cold for that matter, against pulse-points (like your wrist pulse, neck pulse, even earlobes). It works great for me, and I definitely notice a difference between an ice cube there or an ice cube elsewhere. I don't know if it's psychosomatic, though, so if anyone can second it, that'd be great.

another one

Posted By Bill in VA - Mon, Jun 21 2010 at 9:12 AM EST

An old baseball trick - mix ammonia spirits (1.5 oz.) with ice water (1 gallon) in a cooler along with a couple small towels. Rub towels on skin as needed. Works amazingly well for outdoor activities.

[Please note, this is ammonia spirits, or ammonium carbonate (the stuff that goes into smelling salts), NOT ammonia. Do NOT use household cleaning ammonia, they are completely different.]

5 unusual ways to stay cool

Posted By mcsauce - Tue, Jul 06 2010 at 2:14 PM EST

Finally I found it.I used to used this when I played softball but I think coach added lemon juice to.My son plays baseball and today it is 101 degrees,wanted to bring this concoction w/me for the boys.THANKS and this REALLLLLY works

5 unusual ways to stay cool

Posted By tara c - Fri, Jul 23 2010 at 11:01 PM EST

i have been looking all over the place for this, i used to use it when i played softball and my coach also used lemon in it too. i need it for tomorrow, my son is racing bmx in augusta,ga in 101 degree weather. Yall have been a life saver . THANKS SOO MUCH

Tatami

Posted By erasure - Sat, Jun 19 2010 at 10:12 AM EST

Another trick for cooler sleeping that is used in Asia is tatami mats; these are mats made of soft woven grasses/straw, often in pillow and bed sizes. I think the texture helps moisture evaporate (increased surface area?) and keeps you from feeling sticky on the bed or pillow.

Iraq'd my brains...

Posted By Dan W - Thu, Jun 17 2010 at 9:37 PM EST

South of Kirkuk, Iraq in June, '03, it was hot. Hot-hot. HOT-Hot-hot. Part of a medical company, I snagged an IV bag, put in plain water, got a slow drip onto my chest, put a battery-operated fan pointed to the puddle and had the best nap I'd had in weeks! An old Sergeant said it reminded of the old squirrel-cage coolers they had in his native New Mexico.

5 unusual ways to stay cool

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SUN GLASSES

Even more ideas

naked spray bottle

Hate the heat

hi

old-timey tip

another one

5 unusual ways to stay cool

5 unusual ways to stay cool

Tatami

Iraq'd my brains...

Towels

hot summer

Hi

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