Photo by Anna Demianenko on Unsplash
There is a heatwave going on in Europe. In my country, it is around 35 degrees and I am craving cooler weather. But I guess I have to wait for a few more days (probably a week). I am not the biggest fan of hot summer days and I know I am not the only one. Today, I give you 10 tips to stay cool during a heatwave.
Note: Scroll to the end of this post for the video.
10 tips on how to stay cool during a heatwave
Drink enough water
This is an obvious one but you really have to drink enough water. During summer you are sweating more and you need to stay hydrated. Bring your water bottle everywhere you go and take breaks every now and then to drink something. If you don’t drink enough, you can feel dizzy and fuzzy and you can also get headaches. To avoid these symptoms and drink water.
Eat veggies and fruit
If you really have a hard time drinking enough water during a heatwave, I recommend eating more veggies and fruit. The reason for this is because veggies and fruit contain a lot of water too. So this is another great way to stay hydrated. Eat more paprika and tomatoes instead of bread and crisps.
Dress light
I love to wear dark clothes. I love to wear my favorite black jeans but I don’t wear them during a heatwave. It is better to dress light and airy. So wear a dress if you want to. Or when you don’t like to wear dresses, wear tank tops and cotton shorts.
Stay in the shade
During the summer, you spend more time outside. But during a heatwave, it can be very hot outside. If you really love to spend your time outside, try to stay in the shade. It really makes a big difference. And it is also better for your skin because you don’t want to get sunburned. Another tip for your garden: plants some plants and/or trees. Green gardens are cooler than gardens with tiles.
Keep your house cool
But if you like to stay inside your house during the day like me, I also have a tip for you. Close your windows, doors, and curtains during day time and open them when it starts to cool down. The houses in a big part of Europe are not built for hot days. They are built to keep the warmth inside. And that is the thing you want to avoid.
Make your own airconditioning with a fan and ice
Our houses don’t come with airconditioning. But it is possible to buy them but it can be too expensive for some. Luckily, you can make your own airconditioning. All you need is a fan and bottles filled with water. You put those bottles in the freezer for a couple of hours and then you place them in a box in front of the fan. Put your fan on and you just created your own airconditioning.
Put a cold towel in your neck
This is probably my favorite tip when I don’t have any plans. And all you need for it is a towel. There are 2 options. You can put your towel in the freezer for a few hours or you can make your towel wet with cold water from the tap. Put the towel in your neck and you will immediately notice the difference.
Foot bath
The neck is not the only place on your body that can help to cool down your body. Other places are your hands and feet. So you can make a footbath for yourself. And you can even use this foot bath while you are working from home or when you are just reading a book. I love to take a footbath after a long day at work on a hot day.
Take naps
During a heatwave, you can feel more tired. And maybe you are not sleeping well because it is also very hot at night. So if possible you can start taking naps during the day. Don’t do this at work unless your boss is okay with this. Just listen to your body what it needs. If you are thirsty, drink water. If you feel tired, take a nap.
Avoid stress
Stress is never good. But stressing during a heatwave is even a worse idea. So just relax and try not to stress about anything. Because when you feel stressed, you will feel even hotter. And then you start stressing about the hot weather, you will feel even hotter (not in a good way). It is a vicious cycle. So just relax and don’t do too much.
These were my 10 tips on how to stay cool during a heatwave. What is your favorite tip?