Beat the Heat a Little More Naturally

The heatwave beating down on most of the country has gotten me thinking. I have had a number of friends and family that were without power for over a week. Someone at my muggle job had mentioned the other day that all terrorists would really have to do to take over our country is wipe out the power grid.  It makes me very sad to think he may be right. We as a society have gotten way too comfortable.  People on this planet have dealt with the heat of summer for centuries before air conditioning existed. Its time we learn how to take back the summer a bit and enjoy it more.

I am now the proud owner of a new home, without air conditioning. I am  also happy to report  that I haven't shriveled up and died, even when temperatures reached 100 degrees last week.  Here are a few tips I've learned to help keep cool without an air conditioner and helped me save a bit of money by keeping my energy costs down:

1) window screens are wonderful they keep the bugs out and if opened to create airflow across a house, really do help you keep cool, especially if you have a whole house attic fan like we do.
2) running cold water on your the pulse points of your wrists will really make you feel much cooler. A similar trick is to soak your feet in  a tub cool water for about 20-30 minutes. If you're outside this works with lounge chairs and your feet in the kiddie pool.
3) unplug as many small appliances and chargers in the house as possible when not in use. They not only raise your electric bill, but those tiny little clock timers also generate heat, which may not be much but put all those appliances together and that is extra heat you don't need in your home.
4) Run your big appliances like the dishwasher and laundry machines after the sun has gone down and things cool off a bit.
5) take a lukewarm shower just before bed. It will help you sleep easier.  Do not take a freezing cold shower. IT may feel better initially but afterward your body will work to raise its temperature and will make you more uncomfortable in the long run.
6) speaking of sleep, ditch the comforter and just use a light breathable cotton sheet. If you have a hammock or a floating type bed where air can circulate under you (as opposed to a heavy latex matreess) you will feel cooler. Also switch to all cotton breathable pillows instead of the typical foam ones until the heat is a bit more manageable. You can also put your pillowcases in ziploc bags in the freezer during the day and then put them on your bed just before its time to go to sleep. 
7)Eat lots of cooling foods like fruits and vegetables, they will also keep you hydrated.  There is a reason why watermelon and gazpacho soup taste extra amazing on a hot day. Stay away from heavy meat dishes. It may seem to hot to eat, but spicy food is also your friend, it will help you sweat.  Sweat is the body's natural air conditioning.
8) Stay Hydrated. I cannot stress this enough. Not a huge fan of plain water? Make a pitcher of cold water in the fridge and add some herbs and fruit to it. Let it marinate for about a day... do not add sugar.  We currently are enjoying pineapple mint water. Strawberry basil is another favorite.

These tips won't make your house feel like the north pole by any means, but at least they make what can be a very uncomfortable time of year a bit more bearable and productive. We're off to the eastern shore of Maryland to catch up with my family for a few days. I'll be posting about some great yoga classes I'm taking there once I get back. Hope you're enjoying the summer!