Temperatures can soar to record highs when summer rolls around, so if you want to stay cool, you need to change a few things up. The good thing is that you can start with a few basic but proven tricks to keep cool even in the middle of a heatwave.  

Stay hydrated

Keep a bottle of water with you wherever you go. Dehydration is one of the most common things that can happen if you go a few hours without water in the summer. This is true even in the evenings. Keep a glass of water by the bed and make sure you have cold water in the fridge ready to drink when you need a fast cooldown. You can add slices of fruit or herbs like mint and lemongrass to your water to jack up the benefits you get when you hydrate. 

Opt for cottonwear 

Cotton is the ideal fabric for summer because it's lightweight and breathable. It also has excellent absorption abilities, so that it easily absorbs sweat from your skin, allowing you to cool down faster. Cotton allows your body to efficiently regulate temperature so that you can stay comfortable even when temperatures start climbing. Just make sure your cotton outfits are fitted comfortably and are not mixed with any synthetic fibers to get the maximum benefits. 

Get more indoor plants 

Plants can lower the temperature in your home or apartment by releasing moisture. Increase the number of indoor plants that you have and spread them around the home. You can add more plants on the outside of the home, especially in areas where they can block direct sunlight. Not only will plants help keep your space cool, but they also keep the air indoors fresh and clean.

Open the doors and windows 

This may sound counterintuitive but if there's a good breeze outside, it's a good idea to open your home so you can get a free flow of air. In the summer, do this early in the morning and late at night. Keeping windows and doors open allows you to conserve AC power and take advantage of the benefits of free-flowing fresh air. However, once the temperature outside gets warmer than inside, close the windows.

Use Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans provide a cooling effect that can make a room feel several degrees cooler than what the thermostat says. As a result, you can turn the thermostat setting up a few degrees and save energy and money, while feeling just as comfortable.

Block direct sunlight 

Summer is always a good time to invest in good blackout curtains. These curtains prevent the entry of sunlight through your windows, helping to keep your interiors comfortably cool even if it's hot outside. Blackout curtains can also help maintain comfortable indoor temperatures when you're using the AC. Because not much sunlight and heat gets through, your AC won't have to work as much to keep your home cool during the day. Blackout curtains are affordable and look like regular curtains, making them a practical investment if you want to keep your home cool in the summer. 

Run your fountain 

If you have a garden fountain, running it can help surrounding temperatures drop by up to 3 degrees Celcius. Running fountains absorb heat when they circulate water. You can feel the maximum benefits if you have a fountain in a small backyard or a side garden. Turning it on during the summer can help keep that side of the yard comfortably cool. If you want to get the same benefits indoors, you can get a portable water fountain from your local hardware or home decor store. Portable fountains come in desktop or slightly bigger sizes so you can place them anywhere around the house that you want to stay cool throughout the day. 

Summer comes with heat waves, the risk of dehydration, and the general discomfort of being hot, sticky, and tired because of high temperatures. The good thing is that you can do simple but effective hacks to keep your body and your house cool. Give the tricks above a try and enjoy a cooler, more comfortable summer this year.