Beat the Heat (No Pricey AC Required!)

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted August 6, 2022

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

Oh, my goodness, has it been hot lately!

I live in Colorado, where it is (thankfully) dry. But that heat still feels like it’s burning through my skull every time I step outside.

Some of us are lucky enough to have air conditioning. But let’s be honest, even that doesn’t always cool us down enough when the temperatures are soaring.

Or maybe, like a lot of folks, you find it costs too much to run it all the time.

And, depending on where you live, you might have to battle the occasional power failure to boot.

That means we ALL could use some ways to stay cool without relying on air conditioning. And that’s exactly what I have for you today. Tips for staying as cool as a cucumber without relying on pricey AC.

Staying cool isn’t just about feeling comfortable. Soaring temperatures can pose a genuine threat to your health too.

Especially for us older folks – we can be in real danger if our body temperature climbs too high.

So let me share some of my favorite tricks for keeping cool with you.

• Stay hydrated: Every built-in system that cools your body uses water to get the job done. The most obvious one is sweat. When you sweat, heat is pulled away from your body, which helps control your body temperature. Staying hydrated is critical to keep that process flowing. It doesn’t matter how you get your water. Just make sure you’re getting at least a liter every day (more if you’re moving around and active).
• Hit the shower: Popping into a cool shower several times a day can really help keep your temperature down. Getting your hair wet when you do will extend the cooling effect (as the water evaporates from your hair, it will cool your head).
• Cold washrags: I keep a wet washrag in the refrigerator and pull it out from time to time to help myself cool down. Put the washrag on the back of your neck or on your wrists for instant relief.
• Box or Ceiling Fans: Getting air moving across your body is one of the best ways to cool down. You notice this effect when you’re outside. Even on a hot day, a breeze will make the heat feel far more manageable. We have one near our kitchen and turn it on every time we use the oven later in the day.
• Close up the House: While it is tempting to leave the windows open, you will stay much cooler if you close up the house during the heat of the day. Wait until the temperature outside drops at night before opening them.
• Block the Sun: Blocking sunlight from entering your house can keep your home much cooler. You can do this by planting trees and bushes to add shade. Closing blinds and curtains during the hottest hours can help too.
• Plan Your Outing: If you have to go out of the house, plan your trip to avoid the hottest time of the day. Also, remember all sorts of public spaces (like malls, grocery stores, and movie theaters) have air conditioning, so make them destination spots. Get out of your house from 2pm to 8pm and enjoy the coolness on someone else’s dime.
• Cotton Sheets: While high thread count sheets are nice, simple low thread count, cotton sheets are much cooler.
• Head to the Basement: If you have a basement, use it. You can even sleep there if you have an extra bed or comfortable couch.
• Cook in the Morning: Nothing heats up a house faster in the evening than using the oven. Plan for this by making dinner first thing in the morning and quickly heating it up in the evening if needed.

You can’t do anything about the sweltering heat outside. But when you combine a few of these tricks, you can outsmart the sunshine and stay cool all day and night long… no air conditioning required.

P.S. Boiling temperatures aren’t the ONLY summertime hazard you need to be aware of. Don’t let THIS hot weather danger torch YOUR health.

Source:

https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/18/health/how-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning-wellness/index.html

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More By Dr. Scott Olson, ND