If you don’t have access to water, other liquids like coffee, tea, sports drinks, juice, or soda are better than nothing. Coffee can in fact dehydrate your body over the course of a day, though.
If you’re concerned that friends or family members may be overheating as well, plan ahead and bring a water-filled spray bottle for them.
If you don’t stop performing a physical activity when you feel your body start to overheat, you’ll risk heat exhaustion and, in extreme cases, heat stroke.
The towel or bandana will dry out in 1-2 hours, so reapply water as needed. This is also a useful trick if you’re driving cross country without air conditioning.
So, instead of wearing dark blue jeans and a nylon jacket, try wearing cotton shorts and a white linen shirt.
If you’re trying to save money on your electric bill, set your AC to 3-4 degrees warmer than you’d usually have it set.
If you’re fully dressed, try taking off your socks and shoes so you can apply a wet cloth to your feet and ankles.
The moving air through your home will also evaporate sweat from your skin, which lowers body temperature.
This will allow the warm air inside to escape and let cool outside air come in.
If you live in a home with a single floor, this step won’t apply to you.
Not only will the cool water help you lose some body heat, but the shower itself will calm you down and help ready your body for falling asleep.
Then, when you get up in the morning, re-wet the hand towels and place them in your refrigerator so they’ll be cool later that night.
If you’re using sheets made of heavier and less breathable materials like flannel, satin, or silk, you’ll end up overheated and covered in sweat partway through the night.
If sleeping alone is impractical, make sure that you and your partner sleep at opposite sides of the bed. Cuddling or sleeping near one another will raise both your and your partner’s body temperature.
Turning the lights off at night will also help you get to bed earlier since you’ll be less inclined to stay up late in the dark.
