Keep cool
this summer
The joys of summertime are many: Family vacations, outdoor activities, ice cream cones and days spent
frolicking on the beach, to name just a few. But those clear, blue skies have a downside once the sun goes
down: Steamy, hot nights that make it hard to sleep. Here are some tips.
Change your bedding Wear the right clothing
When summer temperatures skyrocket, you’ll sleep much
better underneath a lightweight duvet – especially if you
live in a very hot area like KwaZulu-Natal or Limpopo. You
can also forgo the duvet altogether and opt for cotton
sheets instead. Wear loose-fitting clothing, preferably in a light colour,
to keep cool. The less fabric you actually have touching
your body, the more comfortable you will feel. Choose
natural fabrics where possible. Cotton, for example, is
more breathes better than other fabrics. It’s also better
at absorbing sweat and dries faster.
Turn a hot water bottle into a cooling device
Typically, a hot water bottle holds hot water. But that
doesn’t mean it can’t be filled with chilly stuff instead,
turning it into a perfectly-sized cooling accessory. Simply
store your water-filled rubber bottle in the fridge for
a few hours and then you can use it to cool your feet,
behind your knees or under your neck – which will help
your entire body feel cooler.
Eat light meals
Instead of hot foods, try lighter summer fare including
frequent small meals or snacks containing cold fruit or
low fat dairy products. As an added benefit, you won’t
have to cook next to a hot stove. Good options include
salads, watermelon, cucumber, grilled chicken and fish.
Go old-school
Invest in a bedside fan
You need a breeze to really feel comfortable on a humid
night and opening your windows is not an option with
all the mosquitoes. A small bedside fan is the solution.
Perched on your nightstand, a portable fan is the perfect
way to direct the breeze right where you need it. But
stick with a small fan for bedtime use. This will provide
you with a pleasant stirring of the air, not a wind tunnel.
Turn off the lights
Light bulbs (even environmentally-friendly ones) give off
heat. Take advantage of natural light as much as possible,
and keep rooms cool after dark by using lights minimally
or not at all. Consider opting for strategically placed
citronella candles to add some light to your home and
keep mosquitoes away too.
Make a DIY air conditioner by positioning a shallow pan
or bowl (a roasting pan works nicely) full of ice in front
of a fan. The breeze will pick up cold water from the ice’s
surface as it melts, creating a cooling mist.
B-Living Issue 4, 2019
Page 8