How to quickly cool down in the heat without air conditioning: useful life hacks

This year's July heat wave is breaking all records. With power outages, the situation becomes even hotter, and we can only dream of air conditioners and fans.

However, you can cool off even without household appliances. Experts explained how to survive high temperatures without harming the planet and saving energy.

The danger of high temperatures

Extreme weather events, such as heat domes, where the atmosphere traps warm air, creating dangerously high temperatures, are becoming the norm. According to an article in The New England Journal of Medicine, "climate change is causing a global rise in average temperatures and an increase in the frequency, duration, and intensity of extreme heat events, resulting in unprecedented levels of heat."

In 2023, there were approximately 11,000 heat-related deaths in the United States. Symptoms of hyperthermia, or heat illness, include dizziness, nausea, heart palpitations, and fainting. Heat stroke is the most severe iteration and can lead to organ failure, brain damage, and death.

Method 1

There are some simple life hacks for cooling down. First, take a small towel, wet it thoroughly and wring it out. Form the wet towel into a horseshoe shape and place it in the freezer for about an hour. Place the towel around your neck to cool it down. Many different fabrics have been experimented with: cotton, kitchen towels, typical laundry cloths, and synthetic polyester. All of them dry too quickly and become warm. But towels made of a soft, highly absorbent material called rayon (derived from wood pulp) stay moist and cool for more than an hour in hot temperatures.

Why it works: rhe arteries that supply blood to the head and brain run down each side of the neck and are one of our pulse points, where the blood vessels are close to the surface of the skin. When you apply a cold compress to the pulse point, there is an instant cooling effect. One study published in The Journal of Athletic Training also shows that during exercise, cooling the base of the neck, where the center of thermoregulation is located, reduces our perception of heat discomfort.

Method 2

Fill a bowl with ice water and soak your feet in it. Combine it with the first method and you'll be able to beat the heat.

Why it works: we have cooling points on the top of our heads or on our feet and ankles. Studies show that immersing your feet in cool water is an effective way to lower your internal body temperature.

Method 3

Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and witch hazel, then add about 15 drops of any combination of peppermint, spearmint, or eucalyptus essential oil.

The skin is the largest organ in our body, and keeping it moist helps to cool it down through evaporation. Menthol oils activate cold-sensitive receptors.

Method 4

Make wet wipes. Start by filling a large pot with water. Then add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Dip bandanas, kitchen towels, or washcloths into the water. Leave them for about 30 minutes. Squeeze them out lightly and put them in a large jar. Put it in the refrigerator. Grab a napkin anytime you need a quick cooling down.

Method 5

Generously spray the sheet with cooling spray or plain water. Fold it up and place it in the freezer an hour before bedtime. This technique provides a fleeting (15 to 30 minutes) burst of cooling, which should be enough to drift off to sleep.

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