We think we speak for everyone when we say that we have a love-hate relationship with summer. It’s that time of the year to have fun out under the sun and embark on exciting summertime activities.
But it’s all fun and games until the heat becomes unbearable. Some summer days are just too hot, and we can’t help but miss the cold season. Because of the heat, most would opt to stay indoors and enjoy the air conditioning.
But, come on, it’s summertime! Enjoy the season without worrying about the heat. Although an effective strategy is to get a central air conditioning unit, there are a lot of other easy ways to cool down and enjoy that bright Park City, Utah sun!
Avoid caffeine
A nice, hot cup of coffee doesn’t sound so appealing during the summer heat. But an iced coffee does. It might seem like a good idea to grab a venti-sized iced coffee before beginning your day, but you might want to start thinking twice.
Caffeine is a stimulant that helps you feel more awake and alert. It does this by tapping into the central nervous system. In a study, it was found that lower body temperature helps induce better sleep. So when caffeine is taken, our sleep hormones are decreased, and our body temperature is heightened to help us feel more awake.
The increase in body temperature is not good for the summertime. It can make us feel warmer throughout the day. Cut off on caffeine if you want to feel cooler during the summer.
Shade break
Direct exposure to the sun is very healthy for our bodies. The sun’s UV rays help give us Vitamin D, which strengthens the bones and immune system. However, exposure to the sun needs to be in moderation. Too much UV rays will harm inner skin layers and cause skill cells to die.
The sun is the strongest between 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Although it seems like the best time of the day to do summertime activities, try to stay away from the sun for too long. Avoid prolonged exposure during these hours as it’s when the heat becomes too much to handle.
Bathe in warm water
It sounds ironic, doesn’t it? Taking a warm bath is probably the last thing you want to do when you’re dripping of sweat because of the heat. But it’s an effective way to cool down before going to bed.
A study found that when warm water touches our body, it causes blood to rush to our hands and feet. The rush of blood helps release extra heat from our bloodstream. In effect, we feel cooled down, even after a warm shower.
Eat smaller meals
Summer activities will surely make you hungry. And you’ll be extremely tempted to finish that whole box of pizza on your own. But you might want to consider having smaller meals during shorter periods instead.
To break down our food intake, our body makes use of metabolic heat. It warms us up and drains energy as our bodies try to digest our meals. When you eat smaller meals, the body uses less heat and energy to break down the food. Thus, helping us feel much cooler.
Summertime is a favorite season for many. Don’t waste that beautiful summer sun by locking yourself up in your room in front of the AC. The key is to change some aspects of your lifestyle to help keep your body cool even during the hot season.
