Summer is fast approaching and with that comes thoughts of uncomfortable summer heat waves.  For some that means the air conditioner will be blasting and the pool will be ready for swimming and lazing.  But for others, you know those of us who don’t have air conditioners or pools, it means sitting around in a hot house becoming grumpy.  But don’t sweat it—literally!  Here are some ways to stay cool which don’t require an expensive air conditioner or a high-maintenance pool.

Turn Those Appliances Off

Ok, so if you are one of those lucky people with an air conditioner, and on top of having one, you have the money to run it then by all means, turn that appliance on.  But as for all other appliances, if you don’t need it running then turn it off!  Appliances let off heat which in turn heats up the room.  Some of the more obvious culprits are computers.  I know this might mean a little less social networking via the internet, but that is just one of the setbacks of staying cool.  Besides, instead of being on the computer, wouldn’t you rather be out enjoying the summer?

Another appliance that is known to heat up a room is the refrigerator and freezer.  The more you open it, the hotter it runs and the faster the room heats up, so if you can avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer doors as much as possible, you will have a cooler room in which to sit.

Eat for Heat

Everyone knows that it is very important to stay nice and hydrated especially in the hot months when your body is more likely to loose important minerals through sweat.  With that said, of course it is important to drink plenty of water to keep you hydrated, but there also other foods that will help you both stay cool and keep you hydrated.  Eating fruits can be a great way to keep you cool and replenish your body’s minerals at the same time.  The best fruits for this are melons because they contain a high amount of water.  Watermelons, in particular, are 92% water, so while you are having a sweet summer treat, you are also staying cool and staying hydrated.

Treat Yourself to a New Backyard

The most obvious thing to do when you find yourself in the midst of a heat wave is to stay out of the sun, so design a cozy, shade filled backyard.  Patio furniture has come a long way since the time of your grandma’s backyard.  Now you can create a whole separate outdoor living space with comfortable couches, coffee tables, and bars, all under a chic canopy.  

Besides a canopy, big lush trees are great for cooling down both your yard and your house.  Grow trees on both sides of your house—the side that gets direct sun in the morning and the side that gets direct sun in the afternoon.  This will allow less direct sunlight to enter through the windows and keep your house a few degrees cooler.  Of course, trees take time to grow, but if you plant some now, you will have a cooler summer in the future.

Fast Relief is Spelled I-C-E

I know what you are saying.  You are saying, I need relief from the heat now, not a few summers from now.  Well, you can always get some quick relief by getting your blood to run cooler.  You can do this by putting ice on your pulse points—your wrists, neck, and temples are a few major pulse points.  Put some ice in a plastic zip-lock baggie and wrap the bag with a kitchen towel then place it on your pulse points for as long as you can stand it.  This will help your blood cool down for some fast relief to the summer heat.

When All Else Fails

When all else fails, grab a Popsicle and head to the mall.  In other words, go somewhere where the air conditioner is on someone else’s dime.