Beating the heat will become essential for much of Canada this summer, with weather experts predicting warmer than normal temperatures and pervasive humidity.
Weather Network senior meteorologist Doug Gillham is predicting above average temperatures and humidity throughout July and August in Ontario, the central Prairies, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada, making this summer the perfect time to learn some hacks to beat the heat.
Here are 10 innovative ways to keep your cool that go beyond relying on your air conditioner.
1. Eat Your Water
Staying hydrated is essential to staying healthy during the heat of summer. Drinking the recommended three eight-ounce glasses of water per hour during extreme heat can be downright difficult. But there is another easy way to add extra hydration to your day: eating water-dense foods. Foods like lettuce, celery, cucumbers, bell peppers, and tomatoes are all more than 90 percent water, as are sweeter options like watermelon, strawberries, and cantaloupe.If you do want a drink, but are sick of water, consider having a glass of skim milk or coconut water. Both are good choices due to their high electrolyte and water content.
2. Ice Down Hot Zones
Who says you need to go swimming to cool down? When you don’t have access to a pool or lake to jump in, you can quickly cool off by rubbing ice cubes on the wrists and neck where you feel your pulse. Other key areas are the insides of elbows and knees, the tops of feet, and inner ankles.Alberta’s health agency recommends placing ice packs on either side of the neck, under the armpits, and between the upper inner thighs near the groin to cool someone down quickly. This targets areas of the body “where large blood vessels lie close to the skin surface,” and is especially effective with victims of heatstroke.
3. Eat Spicy Foods
Eating spicy food may sound counterintuitive when you’re trying to cool off, but hot foods like cayenne pepper or jalapeños can make you sweat—activating your body’s natural cooling system.That makes hot peppers, which contain an active ingredient called capsaicin, a good choice because it sends a message to the brain that you need to cool down, the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition said in a blog post, adding that it “tricks the brain into producing perspiration.”
4. Avoid Dehydrating Foods
Processed foods like chips and frozen dinners, deli meats, pickles, and soy sauce, should all be avoided when it’s hot outside due to the high sodium content. Salty foods are dehydrating when consumed in excessive amounts, but can be especially problematic during a heat wave when you are likely to perspire more than usual. Sugary foods can also be problematic because it can cause the body to excrete fluids— something you need to stay hydrated and healthy. The key is to limit salty and sugary treats and focus on foods like fruits and veggies with higher water content.5. Keep the Oven Off
Nothing heats up the kitchen like your oven can. Ovens use a lot of electricity and raise the temperature of your kitchen, forcing your air conditioning to work harder, according to Hydro One.
If you don’t have a cooling system, cooking with your oven can make your home unbearably hot. Instead, opt for smaller appliances. Crock pots, toaster ovens, and microwaves give off far less heat and won’t impact the temperature of your kitchen. If you have a barbecue, head outdoors to make your meal on the grill.
6. Use a Ceiling Fan
Using a ceiling fan can help you cut down on your air conditioning bill, according to Hydro One. Ceiling fan use will allow you to set your thermostat four degrees higher without impacting your comfort.For maximum effectiveness, set the blades to turn counterclockwise for a downward cooling breeze. The best angle for maximum cooling is 12 to 16 degrees, Hydro One suggests. A switch located on the body of the fan should allow you to change its direction.
