{"id":497,"date":"2022-08-10T06:44:19","date_gmt":"2022-08-10T06:44:19","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-08-28T14:40:56","modified_gmt":"2023-08-28T06:40:56","slug":"how-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/how-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re trying to figure out how to stay cool in the summer heat without air conditioning, rest assured that there are ways to avoid overheating at home. Not every home or apartment has air conditioning, and portable air conditioners can cost hundreds of dollars \u2013 but you might not need to buy one. Using cross-draft strategies in your home with regular fans, closing the blinds, and keeping gel ice packs in your freezer are just some of the ways you can master how to stay cool without air conditioning.<\/p>\n

Learning how to stay cool in the summer heat isn\u2019t just for the purpose of your comfort, it\u2019s also for your health. There are certain heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion that can be dangerous, and it\u2019s important not to let yourself overheat. Below are 11 tips on how to stay cool in the heat without air conditioning:<\/p>\n

1. Close the Blinds and Turn Off the Lights<\/h2>\n

Sun shining through your windows will heat up your home even more. Keeping your blinds closed during the day will help keep your home cooler. It\u2019s okay to open them at night, but remember to close them before you go to sleep.<\/p>\n

Black-out curtains also help keep your home cool, even more so than closing blinds.<\/p>\n

You should also turn off lights in your home whenever possible, since light bulbs are another source of heat. If you\u2019re reading a book at home, try to use a small lamp or the glow of a salt lamp to read, instead of using the stronger ceiling lights. In the daytime, you shouldn\u2019t need to have lights on at all.<\/p>\n

2. Have Cold Showers<\/h2>\n

Whenever you\u2019re at home and feeling uncomfortably hot, take a cold shower. When cold water runs all over your body in the shower for several minutes, your core body temperature will start to cool down. (A cold bath works as well.)<\/p>\n

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3. Sleep in Cooling Blankets<\/h2>\n

Mastering how to stay cool in your home without air conditioning often involves upgrading your bedding. Certain types of materials trap heat, while other materials of sheets keep you cool, and feel soft and light instead of sticky or heavy.<\/p>\n

These bamboo bed sheets<\/a> from Nolah Mattress are the ultimate cooling and ultra-soft sheets to sleep in. Bamboo has moisture-wicking capabilities that draw away sweat, which then evaporates and cools you naturally. Nolah\u2019s bamboo sheets are also surprisingly soft, airy and breathable. They don\u2019t trap body heat, and their incredible softness makes you feel like you\u2019ve upgraded your bedding beyond expectations. That\u2019s why these sheets made our list of the top products that help you sleep better<\/a>.<\/p>\n

4. Eat Frozen Treats<\/h2>\n

Cold or frozen treats will also help you cool down, such as homemade popsicles or frozen yogurt. Try some of these cold summer treats<\/a> as part of your strategy for how to stay cool in the heat.<\/p>\n

5. Try Not to Use the Oven<\/h2>\n

Using the oven or the stove will add more heat to your home. If your home already feels like it\u2019s overheating, try to plan meals that don\u2019t require the oven or stove, and note that there are many delicious no-bake desserts out there such as icebox cake, frozen yogurt and ice cream.<\/p>\n

If you do need to use the oven or stove, it\u2019s best to cook at night when your home has cooled down, and meal prep a few days worth of food at one time.<\/p>\n

6. Ice Packs<\/h2>\n

Place gel ice packs in your freezer, and to cool down, place the icy cold packs on your wrists and your neck. If you want to master how to stay cool using ice packs, note that the wrists and back of the neck are important areas to place them, because these are pulse point areas on the body where blood vessels are closer to the skin. This means you\u2019ll cool down more quickly if you target these areas. Armpits are another great location of your body to place ice packs. If you don\u2019t have gel ice packs, run cold water on a small rag or towel, and place that wet towel in the freezer. Your freezer should have plenty of these, so that you always have a fresh icy cold one to grab and dab yourself with to cool down.<\/p>\n

7. Cross-Draft and Multiple Fans<\/h2>\n

A cross-draft or cross-breeze is achieved by opening multiple windows in your home located on different sides of the home, which helps move hot air out, and creates a cross-draft.<\/p>\n

When you combine this with multiple fans moving the air around, you\u2019ll help some of the hot air exit your home, and improve air circulation, which makes you feel cooler.<\/p>\n

Small fans are available on Amazon for as low as $20. Sometimes, all you need is a few small fans to cool down your home facing opposite walls, in combination with cross-breeze from open windows.<\/p>\n

Tilt your fans to face slightly upwards, as this creates a better cooling effect. Some people even have window fans, or a regular fan pointing out the window, which also helps hot air exit, and fresh air circulate.<\/p>\n

8. Use Ice Cubes with Your Fans<\/h2>\n

If you put a bowl of cold water and ice cubes in front of your regular fan, the air will feel even cooler. Some very affordable small fans on Amazon also double as humidifiers and are often referred to as \u2018mini portable air conditioners<\/a>\u2019 which can be as inexpensive as $20 \u2013 $30. They\u2019re not real air conditioners, but they do come with a water tank and a \u2018mist\u2019 or \u2018spray\u2019 function, and you can add ice cubes to the water tank to make the mist from the fan cooler. The small ones are very affordable and they\u2019re perfect to place right next to you for a constant mist of cool air blowing at you to keep you cool. They\u2019re great for placing on your work desk while you work, or on your bedside table to keep you cool while you sleep. Because they\u2019re small and not proper air conditioners, they can\u2019t cool an entire room, but they will cool you down if you\u2019re sitting or standing right next to it \u2013 especially if used in combination with another fan on the other end of the room.<\/p>\n

9. Make a DIY Cooling Mist by Using a Spray Bottle<\/h2>\n

Buy some spray bottles at the dollar store, and fill them with cold water and ice cubes. Spritz yourself with the cool mist throughout the day. It\u2019s refreshing and helps you feel cooler. It\u2019s also much more convenient than running to take a cold shower every hour.<\/p>\n

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10. Wear Breathable Clothing<\/h2>\n

It goes without saying to wear cool, light and breathable materials when it\u2019s hot out. If you want to master how to stay cool in the heat without air conditioning, you may want to go shopping for breathable clothing.<\/p>\n

Linen shirts are breathable, light, and flowy. Linen is known for making you feel cooler. Similarly, a cotton and polyester blend will also be clothing fabrics that keep you cool.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, many athletic clothing stores (athleisure clothing) have designed moisture-wicking, breathable clothing meant for staying cool in the heat.<\/p>\n

11. Stay Hydrated<\/h2>\n

Heat-related illnesses can also be avoided by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. In the summer heat, you may want to drink more than the regular recommended 8 glasses of water per day.<\/p>\n