Never Let 'em See You Sweat

It sure is Hot out there! Some of us don't have or do not want to use AC!! Welcome to the sizzling days of summer, when one of your home's top jobs is to keep you cool. Air-conditioning is the silver bullet for August heat, but energy costs make many people reluctant to turn it on, says the CDC, and poorly maintained systems can worsen allergies. But using a less effective window unit or fan could put you at risk of symptoms like the headaches and nausea caused by heat exhaustion. Good thing there are many ways to chill out without powering up the AC.

• Keep shades or curtains drawn and windows closed during the day. Open windows at night (but use caution and keep them secure from break ins).


• Leave doors to the attic and basement open 24/7.

• Turn off as many lights as possible (especially those with iridescent bulbs, which emit heat) and avoid using the oven or stove. Basically, power down all you can.

• Store a towel in the freezer and drape it over your head when you come home.

• Put pyjamas and pillowcases in the fridge or freezer to cool you off when going to bed. And put bras and panties in the freezer overnight.

• Keep lotion in the fridge.

• Put a bowl of ice or frozen water bottles in front of a fan. It will blow cooler air.

• Roll up throw rugs and carpets to expose cooler floor surfaces.

• Avoid eating a lot of high-protein foods (meats, fish, eggs, cheese), which produce metabolic heat. Try instead vegetable and fruit salads and cold soups, cold sandwiches, and of course, frozen treats. In addition to sorbets and ices, freeze other liquids you wouldn't think of — milk, juice, smoothies, even plain water — into Popsicle form.

• Eat spicy food as they do in the hot climates of Mexico or India. It causes you to perspire, cooling the body.

• Drink iced tea or water with lemon; they're thirst-quenching and cooling. Sodium and sugar in soft drinks increase thirst.

• Put ice in a plastic bag, knot it at the end and roll it inside a bandanna. Tie the bandana around your neck.

• Wear natural fibres such as cotton, silk or linen rather than artificial fabrics made of polyester or rayon.

• Take a quick, cold shower before going to bed (especially with skin-cooling minty soap).

• Keep a water spritzer by the bed to spray down in the middle of the night.

• Move down to the basement where it's cooler to sleep. Or try sleeping on a screened porch.

• Buy a backyard inflatable pool to soak in (it's a cool place for your dog, too