Tips to keep cool this summer

The temperature may be soaring outside but your temper doesn’t have to! These simple pointers can help you maintain your composure even through the worst of this summer

This summer has been a sweltering one for Pakistan. With temperatures rising above 40 degrees, excessive load-shedding, a national water shortage, Ramazan and the 1,000 innocent lives that have already succumbed to the blistering heat, it is really no wonder Pakistanis are in a state of panic. And what’s more, the MET office recently predicted yet another heat wave for Karachi and other parts of Sindh. Impossible as it may sound, it is during times like these that we must remain calm. Follow these simple tips and share them with friends and family to stay cool through the worst temperatures.

Choose cotton

Save the pretty satin, silk, or polyester bed sheets for cooler nights. Light-coloured bed linens made of lightweight cotton are breathable and excellent for promoting ventilation and airflow in your bedroom and around the house.

Cool off with the freezer

You can try sticking your sheets in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes before bed. Even though this won’t keep you cool all night, but it will provide brief respite. Be sure to wrap the cloth in a plastic bag before, though, to ward off food stains.

The hot water bottle trick

Create a light-weight, mobile ice pack by filling up your hot water bottles with icy water instead.

Flush out the hot air

Point box fans out the windows so they push hot air out and adjust ceiling fan settings so the blades turn anti-clockwise, this will pull hot air up and out instead of just twirling it around the room.

Sleep like an Egyptian

The so-called ‘Egyptian method’ involves dampening a sheet or towel with some cool water and using it as a blanket. Lay the damp sheets on top of a dry towel to avoid soaking your mattress though.

Looser clothing

Less is definitely more when it comes to summertime clothing. Pick soft, loose cotton shirts and bottoms and remain in peace throughout the day.

Do-It-Yourself air conditioning

Create a makeshift air conditioner by positioning a shallow pan or bowl full of ice in front of a fan. The breeze will pick up the cold water off of the ice’s surface as it melts, creating a cooling mist.

Pamper your pulses

To cool down super-fast, apply ice packs or cold compresses to pulse points at the wrists, neck, elbows, groin, ankles and behind the knees.

Unplug at night

Disconnect electronics! Gadgets like phones give off heat, even when turned off. It is also advisable to keep your electronics unplugged when not in use to reduce overall heat inside.

Cold hang

Cool down a whole room by hanging a wet sheet in front of an open window. The breeze blowing in will cause the indoor temperatures to simmer down.

SOURCE: GREATIST.COM/HAPPINESS/TRICKS-TO-SLEEP-IN-THE-HEAT

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, July 5^th, 2015.