April 23rd, 2018 by Chris Chapman

During this time of year, hot weather is pretty much a given. Most people enjoy it, however, even those radiant individuals must get uncomfortable when the sun is at its hottest. When it’s cold, it’s easy to put on a warm coat, light a fire, or take a hot bath. But what do you do when the weather is at its most scorching? Seemingly not much, yet, there are some avenues you could explore the next time you feel like you’re enduring a heatwave. From using a fan to eating chili (yes, you read that right) – here are the five best ways to cool off in the sun.

1. Orange Is the New Black

Before you even think about going out into the great outdoors, you first need to think about what you’re going to wear. Of course, when the weather is boiling, wearing light clothes is always the way to go if you want to limit the intensity of the sun’s rays. But going one step further than that, it’s also vital to sport bright colored garbs rather than dark pieces of clothing. Why? Because darker items of clothing absorb more heat than lighter ones do. So, the next time you’re weighing up whether to wear black or orange on a hot day, bear this tip in mind!

2. Shady Business

It should be common sense but you’d be surprised by how many people don’t think to cool down in the shade. Yes, 11am to 3pm is the space of time when the sun is at its most potent, yet, most people don’t take this into account when they’re enjoying the hot weather. Instead, the best thing to do if you’re outdoors is to look for the nearest spot that isn’t getting any sunlight. Doing so will give you the best of both worlds: a lovely warmth with a nice cool breeze as well.

3. Fan the Flames

Speaking of breezes, we’d be remiss not to mention the joys that an airy fan blast can bring. Just plug in your weapon of choice and let the blades spin until you feel the temperature becoming a bit more comfortable. Whether it’s a pedestal fan or a tower fan – these bad boys will make you forget how warm it really is outside! What’s more, if the sun is impacting the temperature in your home, it might be a good idea to have a ceiling fan installed. As an extra little tidbit, put a glass filled with ice in front of your fan to give you a proper blast of cold air!

4. Fluidity Is the Key

There’s no doubt that you’ll be reaching for the nearest drink the next time the sun gets a bit too much to handle, but actually, it’s a good thing if you do. Because hot weather makes you dehydrated, it’s really important to make sure you’re getting plenty of water to help cleanse the body. This is particularly vital for older people to take note of because they don’t sweat as much as those younger than them when exposed to the sun. Plus, who doesn’t like a nice cold drink when they’re boiling in the sun?

5. Feel Chilly by Eating Chili

Onto our last (and perhaps weirdest) entry: eating chili. Incredibly, consuming hot food when it’s sweltering outside is a sure-fire way of getting some respite from the heat. While your mouth may be burning up, your skin will not suffer the same fate. That’s because when hot or spicy foods are consumed, the internal temperature of your body will match that of the weather conditions – meaning that you cool down much quicker as result. It also helps to improve blood circulation, with sweating helping to speed up the process.