by Miranda Norris

Created on: July 02, 2007

It summertime again. Your ready for family vacations and picnics. You crave the thought of lemonade and the 4th of July. What about the heat? Temperatures are soaring and air conditioners are being pushed to the limit? You could spend countless hours on the couch, just letting the fan blow air on you, but your electric bill is all ready sky-rocketing. So what can you do to help keep your body cool?

Drink lots of water. When the body starts to heat up you naturally begin to sweat. This is the human bodies natural cooling system, but means you are losing water. Drinking water will help to preserve your hydration levels. Eating chilled fruits is another way to help cool off your body. Fruits like watermelon and peaches contain water in them as well, and chilling them before eating feels all the better on a hot summer's day. Try to avoid drinks that are high in caffeine and sugar as well as alcoholic drinks, as they will dehydrate you quicker.

Dress for the season. Wear light colored breathable clothing like made of natural fabrics like cotton. Avoid wearing cream or ointments as these will block your pores preventing your body from sweating, and can add to the chances of getting heat rash. Use sunscreen when outdoors applied over any exposed skin though. Sunburns will increase the temperature of the body.

At home, keep electric appliances and lights off. Items like computers and lighting fixtures can give off a lot of heat. To keep your house cool, open all your windows at night, and keep them closed during the day, letting in cool night air and blocking warmer air during the day. Opening all your windows will also help to create cross ventilation allowing more cool air into your home. You should also close curtains or blinds to help keep the rays of the sun out. Try to stand indoors during the hottest part of the day. Showers will also help cool the body naturally.

Make sure to use common sense and listen to what your body is telling you. If your are thirsty drink water. If you cannot abide the heat, go to an air-conditioned building for at least an hour. Play in the sprinkler with your kids or take that trip to the lake you were planning on. Enjoy your summer!

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