Ways To Beat The Summer Heat.

It’s no secret that this summer has been a hot one. Not just hot, but record setting, climate change proving, hot.

As a native Texan, I’m used to dealing with above 90 degree temperatures from May to about October, but this year has been worse, and more exhausting, than usual.

For those of you who are not used to these temperatures, here are a few tricks we use to help keep cool.

1. Close the Blinds. I know it’s nice to have some natural light inside, but keeping blinds or curtains closed in front of windows and french/sliding doors can help insulate your rooms better. Depressing, I know, but it helps. I usually open the curtain on one small window in the morning, to help my mental heath, and then close it when the afternoon sun hits.

2. Stay Hydrated. Take water with you literally everywhere. Running errands? Fill up a water bottle before you go. Working from home in your home office? Keep a full glass on your desk. This sun dehydrates you like nothing else, even if you’re only in it for a few minutes, you need to stay fully hydrated, even when indoors, to combat the effects.

3. Insulate Your Groceries. Take your cooler to the grocery store. It may sound ridiculous, but I've had ice cream melt completely in my trunk within the drive from the grocery store to my house. Take your cold items out of the bags and stick them in the cooler before you leave the parking lot. Even just a cooler without ice will insulate and keep your items a little cooler. Insulated cooler bags work well too! You don’t need anything fancy, just any insulated container.

4. Adjust Your Schedule, and spend your outdoor time in increments. If you have to spend any time outside, do it as early in the morning, or as late at night as you can. If it’s over 98 degrees, try not to stay outside for more than ten minutes at a time. If you’re going to be outside for an extended period of time, wet a rag with cool water and tie it around your neck or around your head, and wear loose fabrics, like linens, that will allow your body to breathe. Tight polyesters and spandex, even in biker shorts, are a big no.

5. Change Your Wardrobe. Wear loose, light colored clothing, in thin fabrics like linen or bamboo. Your body needs to be able to breathe. Blousy, loose fitting items are actually better at regulating your body temperature than tight fitting tanks or shorts, and also protect your body from sun damage.

6. Wear Sunscreen. All day, everyday. Under your makeup too. Even if you are only going to be outside for a few minutes. In 100 plus degrees, you can get a sunburn in less than ten minutes if you don’t have sunscreen on. If you are hanging out outside at a pool or beach, be sure to reapply every hour or two. Is it annoying? Yes, but so is skin cancer.

7. Keep Your Dog Inside. I take my dog outside to play for about 10 minutes at a time between seven and nine in the morning, and between nine and ten at night. If he has to go during the hottest part of the day, we’ll go straight out, stand in the shade, and then go straight back in. Five minutes, tops. Obviously this doesn’t work for everyone, but if you work from home like me, it’s best. Unfortunately, there is really no good time to take your pup for a walk in this heat, especially over 95 degrees. The pavement and asphalt of sidewalks and streets heats up quickly, and retains heat, so it’s usually much hotter than the outside temperature. A good rule of thumb is to hold your palm to the pavement, and if it’s too hot to hold it down for eight seconds, it’s too hot for your dog to walk on. Ignoring this can lead to serious paw pad burn for your dogs.

It also goes without saying, but NEVER leave your dog in the car without air conditioning. It doesn’t matter if it’s just for a quick run inside a shop, dogs can overheat and die in the car in a matter of minutes.

8. Know the signs of heat exhaustion. Heatstroke is way more common than most people think! It can be dangerous if not treated right away. Symptoms include a headache, dizziness and brain fog, full body cramps, and an unquenchable thirst. People with heat exhaustion also experience cold, wet, clammy skin, and an inability to catch their breath. If you think you or someone you know is experiencing heat exhaustion, get the person inside, in a cool dark place, as quickly as possible, and make them drink room temperature water. If they don’t improve within a few minutes, get them professional help immediately.

9. Take Action. Call and write letters to pressure your local congresspeople, senators and governors to take Climate Change seriously! Vote the horrible Climate Change deniers out of office, they are literally killing people. If you think it’s hot now, it’s only going to get worse if we don’t do something now.