10 tips for keeping cool in hot weather

Is the summer heat leaving you feeling hot and bothered? There are plenty of ways to beat the heat without leaving your air-con or a fan on all day and night. Save some energy, money, and still be cool and comfortable with these hacks.

1) Have a stash of your own iced sweet treats 

For staying at home or for going out for a picnic, now is the perfect time to prepare some ice-cool treats. You’ll need some ice lolly moulds to pop in the freezer overnight (you can get creative with leftover yoghurt pots and tubs if you don't have any), and you can freeze smoothies, fruit juice, or squash into a refreshing ice-pop! After a frosty drink but lost the tray for making ice cubes? No sweat. Frozen grapes, berries, lemon, cucumbers and more can be a good swap for cubes and infuse water with flavour.   

2) Drink up 

Hydration in hot weather is really important: water keeps your body temperature from overheating. Storing jugs or water bottles in the fridge for refreshments can save water and money, as you don’t have to run the tap until the water goes cold (splashing away 6 litres per minute). 

3) Take a dip, or a run

Nope, not exercise! Run your wrists under a cool tap for a minute or so. It might not sound like much, but it can cool the blood running through your veins and help you feel cooler overall. Fill a tub with some cold water and dip your feet in too: feet help regulate our body temperature so once again, cooling down just that small area of your body can help overall. 

4) Ice ice baby

Air conditioning is expensive and energy-intensive. Give a regular fan a chilly boost by placing some ice in front of it, and it will help cool your room quicker. Don’t have a fan or you’re trying to save electricity? A spray bottle filled with cold water can give you refreshing spritzes throughout the day. 

5) Can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen 

Literally - go outside for BBQs and picnics! Cooking indoors usually means turning on hobs or the oven, and both heat up your home. Cold pasta, salads, sandwiches, crudités and dips are light summer dishes that save switching on any hot elements.  

6) The early bird skips the warm 

Need to feel the burn but don’t want to actually…get burnt? Exercising early in the morning - the coolest part of the day - can stop you from overheating and dehydrating. But if you have to move around at the hottest time of day, a wet towel around your neck, or a wet bandana or hat on your head will do wonders to keep you cool.

7) Protect your skin... and the coral reefs 

If you’re likely to catch some serious rays it’s best to protect your skin and layer up with sunscreen. But it turns out a chemical (benzophenone-3) commonly found in sunscreen lotions is damaging to a whole range of sea life. Find out about SPFs that are good for your skin and the sea with this list of 8 eco sunscreens from the Independent.  

8) Lay low in the shade 

As hot air rises, the upper floors of a home can be warmer than the ground floor, so a basement can be a cool refuge in hot weather. Chilling out under a tree combines the benefits of staying low to the ground, being in the shade and the water released by trees into the air that absorb heat. 

9) Not-hot water bottle 

Feeling hot and sticky, or can’t sleep for the heat? Go one better than the cool side of the pillow and flip your hot water bottle: fill it with cold water, or store it in the fridge, before taking it to bed to keep you cool and conked out.  

10) Windows of opportunity 

Open your windows to seize the cooler air of the night and early morning and get a fresher breeze circulating around your home. Close windows and shutters during the daytime, especially those facing the sun. If you have shades or awnings, these are extra handy for keeping out the heat of the morning or afternoon sun.  

Speaking of sun...  

Check out these tips for saving money in the summer, and our guide of Manchester’s parks and how to reach them.