As we see record heat waves it makes me concerned about the well-being of those unable to afford AC. Here are the top ways that I have found to stay cool sorted by categories.
Home
-
- Replace all incandescent bulbs with LED lights. It is incredible how much cooler a room is with LED.
- Use wet sheets and hang them up and the air movement will push the water into the air cooling it.
- Sleep on cooling surfaces like silk. This makes it very cool instead of hot cotton.
- Block all sources of light into your space by closing the shades. I have blackout shades and they help keep the place cool in summer and warmer in winter.
- Get your place colder at night when the power costs are cheaper and then use the AC less during the day.
- Have two AC in case one breaks down or can’t keep up.
- Avoid cooking if at all possible.
- Get rid of furniture that retains heat like a black leather couch. Replace with airy things like a hammock.
- Build a porch or outdoor patio so that the shading can help cool off the building.
- Get a water feature with a solar water pump. Having a mist is tremendously cooling.
- Paint your house/roof white. This can pay back in saved energy costs over the years.
- Consider moving to a more temperate climate. Some zones of the country are only projected to get hotter.
- Put your car in your garage. It uses extra energy/gas to cool down when left outside.
Individual
- Drink only water and avoid any other kinds of drinks.
- Wear the thinnest and lightest clothes available.
- Take cold showers.
- Wipe your face and neck off with a cool washcloth. This can cool you down quickly.
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables which keep you cool.
- Get a haircut. I always feel cooler when I have less hair. Since I am bald I tend to feel cool when others are hot.
- Wear a light-colored hat when you go outdoors.
- Stay relaxed and avoid getting angry or feeling strong emotions. This will only heat you.
- Meditate and focus on the positive things in life.
- Laugh and joke with your friends and coworkers.
- Find ways to forgive the mistakes of others. People are stressed and feel threatened with survival.
- Be patient with people like delivery people who have to face the heat all of their work day.
- Find ways to help others deal with the stress that comes from being hot.
- Have several ice packs that you can reuse in the freezer and use them as needed.
- Play with an iPad instead of a laptop. It is cooler.
- Lose weight if possible. Extra weight makes it hard to stay cool. You can use NMT to help you.
Community Resources
- Use public cooling spaces like malls, libraries, or other places.
- Pool money with neighbors and buy an AC each summer for each family who needs one. Stay at their house often.