20 ways to stay cool during the dog days of summer

It should come as no surprise that the top advice for staying cool in hot weather is to stay hydrated. Even if you feel hot externally, keeping your internal temperature at bay is important. Do so by drinking plenty of water, even if you hate it. 

Keep your skincare products in the fridge for extra cooling on a hot day. Applying cool skincare will give your skin a much-needed refresh. 

Shady places also keep you cool on hot days. If you have to be outside for an extended period of time, do your best to find a shaded area to get out of the sun. It won’t be a cure-all, but staying out of direct sunlight will cool you down a bit. 

The sun on your skin can feel good for a little bit, but after too long, it will literally cook you, thus increasing your body temperature. Wearing sunscreen will help protect your skin from burning, which will, in turn, keep you cooler. Be sure to reapply as needed. 

For the super hot days, make yourself a cold compress. Put some ice in a plastic bag, wrap it in cloth, and set it on your head to cool down. Don’t keep it on your body for too long, but about 10-to-20 minutes a few times a day should help you stay cool. 

It’s good to stay active, but be strategic about where you’re doing your physical activity. Going for a long run or doing yoga in the hot sun might not be the best idea. If you want to work out, do it inside or at times when the sun isn’t as intense. When you’re outside, keep things casual. 

Jump in a pool. Wade in the ocean. Run through the sprinklers. If you’re outside during the summer, one of the best places to be to stay cool is near water. There are dozens of fun ways to interact with water, so choose your favorite and stay cool. 

You might get odd looks if you do this in the wrong place, but one way to stay cool on a hot day is by hanging out on the ground. The ground is a different temperature than the air, and in the summer, it’s cooler. You’ll stay cooler if you hang out on the ground. 

You don’t have to stay completely sober but try to limit your alcohol intake on a hot day. While it is tempting to crack a cold one, alcohol will dehydrate you, thus making it more difficult to keep cool. If you do decide to drink, be sure to continue drinking water alongside your hard beverages. 

Sure, this may seem like an obvious tip, but sometimes, the most obvious tips go right over our heads. Stay cool when it’s super hot by turning up the air conditioning or using a fan. They’re not exactly cheap to run, but it’s better than dying of a heat stroke. Use a handheld fan if you’re outside or want to keep your energy bill low. 

If your doors are open, the air circulates into different rooms. If you have cold air running, keep it in a concentrated area to stay cooler by shutting your doors. This method restricts the number of comfortable rooms throughout your home, but it keeps you cool in your chosen space. 

This may sound counterintuitive, but eating spicy food can help you stay cool. At first, you’ll get hotter, but after your body fully reacts to the spice, you’ll get cooler. 

Another obvious tip: Stay inside on a hot day if you want to keep cool. It’s not always the easiest advice, but staying inside is the best option when sweltering. If you have to be outside, try to alternate when you’re in and when you’re out so your body doesn’t get overheated. 

What you wear can have a major impact on how cool you stay during the warmer months. Opt for natural fibers, such as cotton, that are more breathable. This will allow air to travel through so you’re always getting fresh air rather than trapping stale air that will inevitably become hot. 

Don’t wear dark colors in the sun, either. While they look good, they’ll retain the sunlight more than lighter colors, leaving you feeling hot and stuffy. 

Again, staying hydrated is important if you want to keep cool, and there are other ways than just drinking water. Eating foods high in water content will aid in hydration, so opt for cucumbers, watermelon, leafy greens, and celery on dog days. 

Having a tasty frozen treat will also keep you cool this summer. Popsicles, ice cream, or even frozen fruit will keep your body temperature down. Just be careful not to eat anything frozen too fast to avoid brain freeze. 

You may feel silly doing so, but dampening your curtains can help you stay cool. Open your windows and let the breeze blow through your curtains. The dampness will make for a cool burst of air. 

If you’d rather not wet down your curtains, you can rig something similar by putting ice in front of your fan. This will blow cool air throughout your space, giving you a little extra oomph of a breeze. 

Finally, keep your blinds down on a hot day. Your blinds will block out the sun, and if the sun isn’t streaming in, your space will stay cooler. To get the job done super well, opt for some blackout curtains.