The dog days of summer have arrived, and with heat advisories issued for a good part of the Eastern US, finding ways to keep your cool is essential. Below are a few ways we’ve found to be successful to stop the sizzle this summer.
- Turn on the AC. This may seem obvious, but if you’re able, set your thermostat to a reasonable temperature while indoors. Keep doors and windows closed, especially during the heat of the day, to keep the cool air inside.
- Avoid being outside during the heat of the day, particularly the hours of 10 am to 3 pm. Be sure to wear SPF any time you’re outside. Don’t forget the tops of your feet and your ears if they are exposed. Those are places often missed, thus often sunburned.
- Wear light colored, breathable clothing. Bonus if it features UV protection! Dark colors will trap the heat. Denim and polyester fabrics do not allow for good airflow and are less absorbent. Light colored cotton and linen are breathable fabrics that allow heat to escape your body, keeping you cool.
- Stay in the shade or bring it with you! Hats and umbrellas will protect you from the heat of the sun, and again, looking for those that offer UV protection are a bonus.
- Stay hydrated! Be sure to drink plenty of water and limit alcohol while outdoors, as it can dehydrate you quickly. Replace lost electrolytes with a low sugar electrolyte replacement drink like Liquid IV. Enjoy snacks that are high in water content, like watermelon, grapes, cantaloupe, and berries. Popsicles are another great way to keep your cool!
- Seek water. Harken back to the days of your youth and run through a sprinkler! Soak a towel in water and place it around your neck and shoulders. Find a pool, tub, or bucket and put your feet in. Nice cool water can help reduce your body temperature and leave you feeling refreshed.
- Head to the OBX! Even during the peak of summer, ocean breezes and cool water temperatures offer relief from the heat. Plop your chair at the water’s edge (check the tides before committing to a location) or float in the pool at your beach house or community pool and enjoy the OBX answer to Mother Nature’s heat wave.
Looking for some liquid refreshment? Check out one of our favorite Summer mocktail recipes below.
Watermelon Spritzer
Ingredients
- 4 heaping cups of watermelon chunks
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tbsp agave, more if needed
- 4 mint leaves, plus more to serve
- Sparkling water, club soda, sparkling tea or Prosecco to serve
- Lime slices and watermelon pieces to serve
Instructions
- Add the watermelon chunks to a high-powered blender along with the lime juice, agave and mint leaves. Blend the mixture until smooth. Taste and add more agave or lime juice if desired. Strain the juice through a fine mesh strainer and set it aside.
- To make a drink, add ice, lime slices and watermelon pieces to a glass tumbler. Pour watermelon juice into the glass, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Now, top it off with sparkling water, sparkling tea, club soda, or Prosecco (to make this a cocktail!). Garnish with mint leaves and enjoy!
- To kick things up a notch, you can also add an ounce or 2 of vodka to each glass, then top it off with club soda. Garnish with mint leaves and serve.