As the temperatures outside start to creep north of 100 degrees, the lack of air conditioning becomes a major concern. And while we all have our own tricks for staying cool on hot days, with no AC in sight you’re going to have to find a way to get through it without breaking down and buying that expensive unit. Fortunately, there are plenty of other methods for beating the heat — even when your AC is out for good.
In this article, we’ll cover the most popular ways to stay cool without an air conditioner, as well as a few more creative suggestions. By the end of this article you’ll be able to keep cool no matter how hot it gets outside.
Ice Packs and Cold Water
If you’re stranded without your air conditioning unit, then you’ll have to pitch in some old-fashioned remedies for cooling yourself down. You can use ice packs or cold water to cool off, depending on where you feel like putting them. Ice packs work best on the head and back areas of your body, while cold water is best for soaking your feet to help them cool down. The point is to keep your blood circulating freely, which brings in cool blood and sends warm blood away. While you’re at it, be sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. You might want to consider investing in a water cooler if you want to keep cool without an air conditioner during the hot summer months.
Wear light colored clothing
If you’re in a car, then the AC will already be on for you. But if you’re outside, or even at home, then your sweat is going to be your biggest enemy in the heat. So make sure to wear light-colored clothing so that you can stay cool by reflecting the sun away from yourself as much as possible. If you’re wearing dark clothing, then the heat is going to soak right into you and make you hot in no time. And if you’re wearing black, then you’re just adding to the heat. Now that’s not a good look.
Be smart about your food and drink
Don’t be afraid to cut back on the water, soda, or alcohol if you are trying to stay cool without an air conditioner. When you’re drinking caffeine, for example, your body has to work a lot harder to get rid of it so it will only take longer for your body to cool down. That’s why you should skip the caffeine at least for a little while if you need to cool down.
Eat light and healthy foods that are easy to digest, like fruits and vegetables. Even spicy fried food will only make you feel worse in the heat. For example, avoid eating a slice of pizza if you want to cool off — it’s just going to make your stomach work harder than it has to, which makes it even harder for your body to cool down.
Apply sunscreen
As you can guess, sunscreen is going to be your best friend during the summer months. It’s not only going to protect you from the rays of the sun, but also from dangerous UV rays. And don’t forget to apply it all over — especially your face and neck. The sun is relentless, and you don’t want to get burnt. If you’re going to be outside for a while, then wear a hat and sunscreen, if you really want to cool off without an air conditioner.
Stay hydrated
Yes, the most important thing to remember when trying to stay cool without an air conditioning unit is staying hydrated. The more water you drink the better — especially during the summer months. For example, one 8-ounce glass of water will keep your hydrated for two hours just by itself. So be sure to drink water all the time, even if you’re not thirsty. You can also add some fruit to your water if you want something a little more flavorful.
Switch appliances off when not in use
Believe it or not, closing the refrigerator or turning off the oven and dryer can actually contribute to the cooling down effect. That’s because of how much heat these appliances release into your house. So if you want to stay cool without an air conditioner, then remember to turn these things off when they’re not being used. It will help prevent unnecessary heat build up in your home as well as keep fresh air flowing through it which will make you cooler by default.
Use a fan
There’s just no substitute for a good old-fashioned fan. If you have one, then use it so that the air circulates around you better. Even the ceiling fan in your bedroom will help keep you cool while you sleep at night. And if you don’t have a fan, then consider buying one. After all, it is going to be a lot cheaper to buy a fan than it is to buy an air conditioner. Try an air cooler
An air cooler is going to be the middle ground between a fan and an air conditioner. They definitely won’t replace your regular AC unit, but they’re better than nothing. What makes them so great is that they don’t need a lot of space so you can easily move them from room to room if you need to.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to stay cool without an air conditioner. A few of our favorites include using a fan, wear light colored clothing, and avoiding heavy foods like pizza. By using these strategies, you’ll be able to keep yourself cool without spending any money at all on your air conditioning unit. Just remember to stay hydrated throughout the summer season — it’s really the best way to keep cool throughout the hot summer months.
Do you know other ways to stay cool without an air conditioner? Please share with us in the comments section below. We’re all in this together!
