How to Stay Cool on a Hot Day

Growing up in Texas, we learn pretty quickly what activities you can do to stay cool in the hot summer months.

We often have temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit for 50 and 60 days in a row!

What can you do to stay cool that won't cost you a fortune?

Here are a few tips.

One of the best ways to stay cool is to utilize someone else's air conditioning. While you're away from your home, you don't have to have the thermostat set so low.

It's a great time to:

• Window shop in the mall or read a book in the food court
• Hang out in a bookstore
• Visit a large antique mall
• Go to the library
• Restaurants with free wi-fi are a great place to hang out with your laptop
• Go visit friends and family, even for an hour or two
• Go to any free museums or local attractions.

If you're more interested in being outdoors, at least look for some shade and wear a good sunblock.

Some ideas for keeping cool outdoors are:

• Go to the lake, or any free access body of water
• Go to a well-shaded park
• Some towns offer free water activities. We have a couple of playgrounds around town that have water areas for kids to play in
• Get out the watersprinkler and create your own backyard fun. If you feel even more adventurous you can roll out some plastic and make a slip-n-slide.
• Have a watergun fight. Some of the waterguns today truly are supersoakers!
• Have a waterballoon fight. Make sure someone picks up the pieces of balloon.
• Kiddie wading pools are inexpensive. Buy one if for no other reason than to put your feet in it.
• Inflatable pools are more affordable than they used to be. If you can afford one, they can be an alternative to paying admission to a local pool.
• Watch for free outdoor activities like carnivals, picnics, family reunions, etc.
• Personal misters are a fun way to keep cool. Some are inexpensive spraybottles with a battery-operated fan. Fancier options are available. If you can afford them, installing a mist system around the perimeter of a patio is a great way to reduce the temperature in that area by 20 degrees.
• When sitting outdoors, sit on something that allows the air to freely move all around you. Chairs with webbing, slats, or holes are perfect.
• Woven hammocks are a great way to allow the breeze to cool you from all sides.

• Cooling your wrists, neck, and other pulse points with cool water will help cool off your body.
• Take a cool bath and do not dry off. Let the breeze dry you naturally
• Drink plenty of water even if you're not sweating or thirsty. If you're sweating, be sure to replace the electrolytes by drinking Gatorade or other similar drinks.
• Dress lightly. Wear loose-fitting cotton, silk or linen fabrics in light colors if possible.
• Go without a hat or shoes if you're able to since the body releases a lot of heat through the scalp and soles. If you are wanting to wear a hat for the shade, make sure it's one that allows your head to "breathe".
• Turn off as many heat-producing appliances as you can. Switch to fluorescent bulbs in all your lamps and room lights.
• Try to cook outdoors to avoid heating up the house unnessarily.

• When it's cooler outside open windows and use fans to circulate the air. Box fans are great for this Keep shades and curtains closed when the sun is on that side of the house.

• Use mint, menthol or rubbing alcohol based products in a lotion for applying to your skin. Peppermint and spearmint provide a cooling effect to the skin

• Put a bowl of ice in front of a fan so that the breeze blowing across the ice will be cooler

• Stock your freezer with frozen fruit, Popsicles, frozen juice bars, and ice.