Tips for Keeping Cool in the Summer

One of the best ways to keep cool is to stay hydrated. Drink water, but also fluids that will replenish your electrolytes. What are electrolytes? Basically electrolytes are a key factor in muscle function and repair, as well as nerve function. Ions in the electrolyte are molecules that have an electrical charge. This keeps your body in balance. If you buy the sports drinks, it's best to get the ones with low sugar.

Don't wear dark clothing. It may seem like common sense, but here are some reasons. Dark clothes absorb heat, so you don't want all that heat just sitting there on top of your skin. You won't feel comfortable, and this leads you to become agitated, creating more heat. Colors affect your mood, so if you wear light or bright colored clothing, you will feel much better about yourself. If you wear neon colors though, you might hurt your eyes.

Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing. I'm not saying to wear clothes that will fall off of you. Just loose enough to where you can move freely in them. This way, air can circulate freely. Cotton breathes easy too. Wear sunglasses. When too much sun hits your eyes, it can make you drowsy, sapping your strength away.

White shirts are the way to go in the summer. They are light and air moves easily through them.

Think light. Heavy shoes like boots, thigh-high boots, thick soled shoes and high heels are not practical for the summer. This footwear adds more weight that you walk around in, which means you sweat more.

Instead of wearing a tight fitting baseball cap to keep the sun off of your forehead, try a straw, wide-brimmed hat. Air flows right through the whole thing, and it is very light as well. I did some work last summer in California out in the sun with one of these hats. It was perfect for the summer.

Keep your hair cut short if you are a guy. And keep your hair off you neck if you are a woman. You want to keep the area around your neck free to breathe. When most people sweat it comes from your head and neck first. If you keep your hair short or your neck free from hair, it gives you more breathing room for your head.

Hot foods will make you hot, whereas cold food will keep you cool. Avoid eating ice-cream in the sun. The heavy dose of calcium can make you sleepy. This takes away your energy, and makes you thirsty.

If there is any type of strenuous activity to be done, do it when the sun is going down. Why work out, mow the lawn trim the bushes or go for a jog when it's hot outside? The best time to do anything outside is when there is less heat. If you insist on working when it's hot, take frequent breaks in the shade.

Place a wet hand towel across your neck if you really can't stand the heat. This quickly cools your body down.

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