Tips to Stay Cool This Summer

The "official" first day of summer is just around the corner. But in the Coachella Valley it's starting to break the high 90's and the weather channel is forecasting highs over a hundred by the weekend. For Coachella Valley residents, it's been a pleasant surprise to have nice, albeit strange, weather for most of May. But as Shakespeare said, "parting is such sweet sorrow" and it's time we face facts; the summer heat has arrived. What can you do to stay cool this summer? There are a number of things, both large and small, to help ease the blistering summer heat.

Shade is a precious commodity in the desert, so when you find it, take it! If you have to head out and run errands or you're just out for leisure, look for covered parking wherever you can find it. You'd rather spend a few extra minutes looking for a covered parking spot, then return to a smoldering hot car. Also, keep an eye out for big trees that provide shade. Sure, maybe you'll have to walk a little further to get inside and back out to the car, but it'll be worth it.

If you're going to be out all day, take a bottle of water. You can find an affordable light weight cooler at Walmart or Target and hold your drink in there to stay cool. If you don't want to do that, another option is to freeze your water bottle overnight. The next day when you head out, take your frozen water with you and as the day goes by, the ice will melt and you've got some nice, ice cold, water to enjoy.

Try to dress lighter, color wise. Darker colors tend to get hotter in the sun, so steer clear of those dark shirts, instead opting for lighter colors.

If your exercise program is usually during the day, try to start it earlier in the morning or maybe during the evening when the suns goes down. If you can't change the time, look into a different location. Many people take walks inside the Westfield center. If joining one of the many local gyms isn't in your budget, why not looking into the Coachella Valley Recreation Center in Indio. For a low price, paid once a year, you get access to the facility, which includes basketball courts, weight lifting center and a second story track for walking and jogging.
Hopefully these tips will help keep you cool for the summer