With or without air conditioning, summer can get tiresome fast when you’re trying to stay cool and comfortable. Switching to waterproof makeup is a must, but you also need to pay attention to your wardrobe and what you’re eating and drinking to stay cool.
Try a few of the best ways to beat the heat in order to stay comfortable while also looking good and feeling great. With just a few small changes, you can make hot weather a lot less annoying.
1. Start Using a Good Facial Mist
More than just pure water in a spritz bottle, facial mists can be applied over your makeup, to keep it fresh, while also cooling you down. Many include important ingredients that help protect your skin from environmental aggressors, so give the face mist spray a chance this summer in order to keep your makeup perfect.
2. Wear the Right Fabrics
One of the best ways to beat the heat is to wear clothes made from natural fabrics, that allow plenty of air circulation. Silk is a great option for an elegant look, and synthetic moisture wicking fibers is the right choice for activewear. But when you’re simply looking for a cute summer look, stick to seersucker, georgette or chambray.
See also: 10 Fabrics You’ll Want in Your Summer Wardrobe
3. Cool Down with Vegetable Soup
Summer is a great time to lose a little weight with less effort. Cool vegetable soups are an excellent way to lower your body temperature while also getting a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Don’t just stick to traditional recipes like gazpacho or cucumber soup. Make your own broth with your favorite vegetables, whether in chunks or pureed.
4. Invest in Sunblockers
One of the best ways to beat the heat at home is to simply get better insulation. That doesn’t mean you have to undertake a project with a big budget. You can bring your summer energy bills down by simply blocking your windows, especially the ones facing West. Reflective blinds and roller shades are excellent options, but you can also invest in reflective curtains.
See also: Ways to Fight Oily Skin in Summer
5. Cook Outdoors
Whether or not you’re cooling down with air conditioning, try to avoid using appliances that generate lots of heat. Cooking outdoors gives you a great chance to make healthy choices, from grilled lean meats to grilled vegetables. If you want to keep your energy bills down, use the clothes dryer and dishwasher at night, when the temperatures are lower.
6. Cool Down with a Refreshing Foot Soak
An excellent remedy for tired feet, a cool foot soak is also one of the best ways to beat the heat. Soaking your feet in cold water can also help you relax. For an even more refreshing feel, add lime, mint, peppermint, or Epsom salts to the water. Ground ginger, baking soda and apple cider vinegar are other ingredients that have a good effect on your feet.
7. Spritz Yourself with Cool Water
While a facial mist is designed to be used on the face and neck, you can always spray other ares with cool water. After taking the spray bottle out of the refrigerator, spritz yourself in the areas that can help you cool off the best: inner elbows, the back of your knees, your ankles, the inside of your wrists, and your neck.
More: 10 Ways to Avoid a Summer Beauty Meltdown
8. Turn Heat Packs Into Ice Packs
One of the best ways to beat the heat when you don’t have air conditioning is to turn the heat packs you use during the winter into ice packs without the dripping water. Gel packs that can be frozen are a good option, but so are any bags filled with rice, wheat or barley. You can even use them to cool down your bed before you go to sleep in a room with no AC.
9. Eat Spicy Foods
One of the more controversial ways of handling the heat, the best spicy foods come from areas of the world where temperatures are always high. They’ll make you sweat more, which is the body’s natural cooling system. If you love spicy foods and don’t mind sweating more in order to fight the heat, don’t forget the most important hot weather tip…
10. Stay Hydrated the Right Way
Coffee and alcohol will get you dehydrated fast in the summer, but one of the best ways to beat the heat is to get enough water, not just in liquid form, but also from water-rich fruits and vegetables, from watermelons and strawberries to cucumbers and tomatoes.
