How to stay cool in hot weather

12 simple tips to keep you comfortable over the summer

Here’s our handy guide to help keep off the heat this summer

Freeze your breeze

If you place a bowl or tray of ice in front of a blowing fan your room will become cooler as the ice melts.

Shut out the sun

Keep blinds and curtains closed during the day as a preventative measure to stop your room from overheating.

Get in the shade

It’s advisable to step into the shade between 11am and 3pm from March to October.

In the UK, this is the time of the day where the sun is strongest.

 

Eat small meals regularly

Your body warms up as it works to process larger meals.

Metabolic heat is needed to break down food, so eating smaller portions can help keep you cooler.

Choose cotton

Opting for lightweight cotton clothing is the best option when it’s scorching outside.

Avoid dark colours and keep summery with whites and creams, as these are more likely to reflect the sun’s radiation.

Keep hydrated

Sweating can cause dehydration, making you more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Drinking cool glasses of water throughout the day can be enough to bring your body temperature down.

Slightly damp bedding will help to keep you cool in the summer months, just don't overdo it with the moisture

Get low

Hot air rises, so get down as low as you can to make sure you’re surrounded by cool air.

Sleep on the floor, or even head downstairs, if you’re getting desperate to escape the heat.

Rinse your wrists

Washing either your wrists or your feet with cold water before you hit the hay can help you to cool down and drift off.

Keep your feet cool

There are plenty of pulse points around the feet and ankles, so dunking your feet into an ice bucket can help take your temperature down.

 

Keep drinking water to help prevent heat stroke and dehydration

Breathe deep

Inhaling through the mouth and exhale through the nose to create a refreshing effect.

In theory, when taking in breath this way, your saliva should help cool the air before it’s taken to your lungs.

Keep your moisturisers in the fridge

On a hot day, you get get a bit of much-needed rejuvination by applying a cold moisturiser to your body.

Keeping your products in the fridge will create this cooling effect without any hassle.

Get a hand-held fan

This helps to make you feel more comfortable with minimal effort.

It’s not advisable to use your hands to fan yourself, as this repetitive motion will just make your body temperature increase.

How can I get to sleep in hot weather?

Getting to sleep when it’s hot and stuffy can be a nightmare.

Giving your bedding a very light misting of water can make all the difference when you’re struggling to sleep on a hot day.

And boozing before bed is never a great idea – but your sleep will be affected even more when it’s hot.