I’m a very cold natured person, so I look forward to summer every year just to warm up! But even I get hot during summers in the south! But with a few simple tricks, it’s much easier to beat the heat and stay cool when heading outdoors.
1. Hydrate
Staying hydrated is key when it comes to keeping cool and protecting yourself against extreme temperatures. At the very least, you should be consuming plenty of fresh, purified water. But, sometimes even water isn’t enough to stay hydrated. If you are physically active outdoors or involved in sports, you’ll need drinks that restore electrolytes, vitamins and minerals that are lost through sweating. Our favorites are coconut water (which contains naturally occurring electrolytes, B vitamins, amino acids, and potassium) and cleaner sports drinks (Vitamin Water is a good brand that has better ingredients than Gatorade or Powerade). And for any rigorous activity you plan on doing outdoors, make sure to start hydrating the day before!
2. Wear Sunscreen
A little sunshine is great for our bodies and provides an excellent source of Vitamin D. But you can quickly get too much of a good thing when you’re outside during the summer. Wearing a nontoxic sunscreen helps to prevent burns and can protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. For a list of my favorite natural sunscreens, click here.
3. Eat Hydrating Foods
In addition to drinking plenty of fluids, it’s very helpful to eat plenty of hydrating foods. Watermelon, cucumbers, strawberries, celery, pineapples, zucchinis are great examples of foods that have a high water content. Studies show that hydrating foods can help to hydrate on a cellular level, making them an important addition to a summer diet! Try adding these foods to a delicious smoothie or making a giant, hydrating salad on days you’ll be heading outdoors.
4. Wear a Broad-rimmed Hat
I love to go on long walks even in the summer, but because I’m so fair, I have to make sure to always wear a broad-rimmed hat so I don’t burn. This also helps to keep me cooler, because it helps protect me from the sun’s rays. To see my favorite hat that I wear all year long, click here! It does an incredible job protecting my face!
5. Try Peppermint Oil
Peppermint essential oil is naturally cooling to the body and can really help to provide a wonderful cooling sensation when applied to the skin. For extra cooling sensation, put the bottle in the fridge to chill and apply a drop to the back of the neck and to your temples before heading outdoors. It’s like a minty, icy blast of freshness! For the brand I use and other ways I love to use peppermint oil, click here.
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