Summer is almost over but the weather is still unbelievably warm.
I remember not being able to sleep when I arrived in Manila because the place I rented out lost electricity because of a power outage.
Tossing, turning, hands tired from fanning– we’ve all been there. Well, at least me. Power outages are quite common in the Philippines so if you’re tired of sweating like crazy every single day, here are ways on how to stay cool in this hot weather.
Put a tub of ice in front of a fan
According to Greatist you should go old-school, “Remember when refrigerators were iceboxes that contained actual blocks of ice? Us neither. This stay-cool trick is straight out of the icebox era, though. Make a DIY air conditioner by positioning a shallow pan or bowl (a roasting pan works nicely) full of ice in front of a fan. The breeze will pick up cold water from the ice’s surface as it melts, creating a cooling mist.”
Drink cold water
“Sweating can cause dehydration, making you more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Drinking cool glasses of water throughout the day can be enough to bring your body temperature down.” – The Sun UK
Make your own frozen treats
One of my favourite tips is from Lifehacker. “Water isn’t the only cold thing you can stuff in your maw when things get a little too toasty. Crush some ice and make yourself a tasty slushie—they’re actually proven to boost your endurance on those super hot days, especially if you need to exercise, or think you might need to go outdoors. Don’t limit yourself to just ice water, it gets boring—mix it up and try other delicious, icy, chilled treats that’ll also help you stay cool. Just try to stick to the treats that are more ice than cream, if you know what I mean.”
Wear long sleeves
I know this might sound weird but Real Simple explained it well. “Surprisingly, it can be cooler to wear long sleeves and long pants than shorts and a tank top. You want loose-fitting clothing in light colors to reflect the sun and keep it from heating your skin. Go with cotton or linen, which breathe well but also hold moisture (unlike a synthetic, quick-drying fabric). They will keep your sweat close to the body, and as it evaporates, it cools you. Evaporation is a very cheap and very effective way to cool off. Of course it makes the most sense in a dry heat.”
Run cool water on your pulse points
“For a more targeted approach to cooling down, try running cold water on your wrists for up to 30 seconds each. What this will do is actively lower the temperature of the blood in your arms, which will then recirculate into the body’s larger bloodstream and cool your body down for up to an hour. Depending on how hot it is outside, of course.” – GQ
Eat something spicy
“Eat spicy food. Although this may be the last thing you fancy in hot weather, curries and chillies can stimulate heat receptors in the mouth, enhance circulation and cause sweating, which cools the body down.” – Daily Mail
