Your Guide to Beating the Heat

Wherever your summer has brought you so far, the summer is heating up: and hopefully in all the right ways. Summer is a time to wake up early and stay out late, be active, and connect with friends. Amid all of this memory-making lies one glaring obstacle: the extreme summer heat, especially that of July and August. This is the kind of heat that keeps you indoors, in the dark, in front of your AC; it renders any shade of gray completely un-wearable, and it even melts the coconut oil in your pantry. The summer heat can throw a lot off-track: your workouts, your hair, your sex life, and most importantly, your health. Luckily, a few tweaks to your seasonal routine will put the cool back into your cool, calm, and collected summer self. 

Go With the Flow

You’ve been working on your summer bod since January 1^st, of course, and while you may be tempted to show it off with something form-fitting, a looser and breezier garb is definitely the way to go. A big part of keeping cool is allowing air to circulate around the body, and tight synthetic materials are the stuff that sweat stains are made of. Opt for natural materials like linen and cotton, and keep in mind that pastel is the new black––lighter colors do a much better job of reflecting the sun (and showing off your summer tan!) 

Cool as a…

You are what you eat, so on hot summer days, thinking about what you’re putting into your body makes all the difference. Hydration and temperature are the key words here: keep a pitcher of something cold in the fridge at all times (preferably without sugar), eat cold water-rich fruits and veggies, and for the love of god, don’t turn on the stove. Trading a lamb roast for a nutrient-dense summer salad is a good call for your metabolism and digestion (which both contribute to body temperature), but if you need a warm meal, dig out the skewers and head to the grill. What’s more, Ayurvedic health practices call for certain "cooling" or "warming" ingredients depending on the temperature outside. It’s no coincidence that herbs like mint, cilantro, dill, and cumin are already a huge part of your summer diet––humans have been gravitating towards them for centuries!

Some Like it Energy Efficient

If going AC-free isn’t an option for you but you’re trying to reduce your carbon footprint, doing a little research and finding an energy-efficient unit isn’t a bad idea. Every year, Energy Star publishes a list of the most efficient appliances available so you can cool off guilt-free. Unfortunately, being environmentally-minded doesn’t bode well for your pool during drought season either, so consider entering an exclusive relationship with the ocean. If you’re not close enough for one (or you don’t do long-distance), research a sustainable pool option that works for you like many water conserving, stone-lined pools already being used in Europe.  Many don’t require water changes or harsh chemicals and their filtration systems are solar-powered. 

Carry on With the Summer Lovin’

Keeping it steamy between the sheets while not keeping it steamy between the sheets can present quite a challenge during the hot summer months, especially without adequate air conditioning. If you’re fully air-conditioned, crank it up and make this summer the steamiest yet! If you’re not, keep the room as cool as possible by leaving the lights off (you’re welcome, ladies) and directing hot air out of the room with a fan. Try putting the sheets in the freezer during the day for an instant cool-down at night. Have a cup of ice cubes on hand or hop in a cool shower together… to conserve water, of course. 

Keep Your Skin Cool

A huge part of staying cool is only skin-deep, so keep a cool, damp towel on hand, rub some cooling aloe vera gel on yourself, or keep a plant at home. Be sure to lather up with sunscreen when you’re outside: nothing turns up the body temperature like a bad sunburn. 

Adapt Your Beauty Regimen

When the cool days of spring are over, a smooth blowout is a recipe for a sweaty neck and serious frizz. It’s tempting to coif and hope for the best on a hot night out, but for your own comfort, you may want to keep your hair up and off of your neck. Pick an easy updo that works for you and learn to love it. If that isn’t an option, stick with the natural mane as, during the heat and humidity, your hair will do whatever it wants regardless of the amount of hairspray you use. These factors also have an impact on your makeup choices: in the summer, it may be a good idea to lighten up a bit. Opt for waterproof mascara and liners, a light dusting of powder, an oil-control foundation if you need more coverage, and a baked bronzer rather than your contour kit. Heavy makeup not only traps heat to the skin, but it's also unpredictable once it’s faced with the heat and your sweat, so to avoid a similar fate as the Wicked Witch of the West: the less, the better. 

Pound the Pavement… At the Right Time of Day

If, like many, your workouts are powered by fresh air and sunshine, running outside is still okay in the hot summer months, assuming that you’re doing it at the right time. Rise with the sun and take a cool dawn run, or wait until the sun is about to set. If this doesn’t fit with your schedule, it may be a good idea to sign up for a gym to keep sweating without overexerting yourself. Staying fit, healthy, and active throughout the summer is a great idea – overexertion in extreme temperatures really is not.