Unique Ways to Stay Cool During the Summer

By Brooke, June 1, 2010, Energy Efficiency, Green, Save Money

Summertime in places like Texas and Florida, or pretty much anywhere along the Gulf Coast, is synonymous heat and humidity. Originally from California and now living in Texas, I can personally attest to how crazy hot it is here. The number one way that people keep cool in these parts is by the greatest invention ever, air conditioning. AC ranks up there with electricity, automobiles and the Internet. The unfortunate catch to this genius device is the dramatic negative effect it has on your energy bill. So this year, I wanted to find some “outside of the box” ways to keep cool that won’t impact the bottom line. The article 5 Unusual Ways to Stay Cool from the Mother Nature Network had just what I was looking for. Here are their unique tips to help stay cool:

Go tropical. Take the lead of those who spend most of their lives in tropical climates: loose, lightweight cotton and linen clothing rules. Personally, my favorite, don’t forget the old standard of the American Deep South: seersucker. Its crisp cotton and cooling ridges make it a hot weather classic.
Cool that pulse point. Just like when you were sick as a child, your mom may have brought you a cold facecloth. This idea works the same way. Chill your pulse points by running cold water over your wrist for a minute or so each hour. Splashing water on your temples or face can produce a similar effect.
Don’t eat: Graze. Ever notice how you feel hot after a big meal? It’s not just because the food was served warm. Big, protein-laden meals force your body to stoke its metabolic fires. The solution is to break up your eating into smaller, more frequent meals. You’ll feel cooler — and it’s better for you, anyway.
Eat to sweat. Latin America, India, Thailand — some of the world’s hottest places. And they happen to serve some of the world’s hottest foods. Scientists have argued for years over why this is the case, but the most likely reason is that spicy foods make you sweat without actually raising body temperature. Chalk it up to capsaicin, a chemical found in things like hot peppers. Once your skin is damp, you’ll feel cooled by its evaporation.
Stay cool under the covers. A lot of people find it difficult to sleep in hot weather. Want to cool the bed down? Fill a standard hot water bottle with ice water. Use it to cool your ankles and the back of your knees — it works. You can also try bagging your sheets and tossing them in the freezer for an hour or two before bed.

Lastly, something I would suggest is to sign up for Bounce Energy. Bounce Energy is a low cost energy provider that can help you save money. By switching to Bounce, you may be able to afford lowering the thermostat a few degrees and relieving your family from the summertime heat.

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