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As I write this, I am sitting in front of a fan. We have central air conditioning but it’s so hot and humid out that still, we need the fan for air circulation.
These tips for how to stay cool in summer will give you some great ideas for those hot and hazy days of summer. Some for indoors, some for out, you’ll even find some ideas that you can use with the kids!
How to Stay Cool in Summer
Put skin-care products in the fridge before you take a shower.
Most cannot be kept in there long-term or they will separate and break down. These chilled products will help you feel cool upon getting out of the shower.
There are some skincare products that have cooling qualities too! I particularly love the facial sprays. That burst of cooling spray on your face can really feel refreshing!
TULA Probiotic Skin Care Rose Glow & Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm | Dark Circle Under Eye Treatment, Instantly Hydrate and Brighten Undereye Area, Perfect to Use On-the-go | 0.35 ozMario Badescu Facial Spray Herbs/Rosewater and Cucumber/Green Tea, 4 Fl Oz (Pack of 2)
Switch your skincare products.
My skin still needs moisturizer all year round. In summer though, I find it can feel heavy and greasy. I switch from my heavy cream moisturizer to a lighter lotion one and I only apply it to the dry areas instead of all over on especially hot days.
A moisturizer with sunscreen is helpful here too as you’re getting 2-for-1. I still apply the heavier moisturizer at night as we have air conditioning and this allows me to keep the dryness at bay.
Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 40, 1.7 Fl OzFace Moisturizer by Olay Complete Daily Defense All Day Moisturizer With Sunscreen, SPF30 Sensitive Skin, 2.5 fl. Oz., (Pack of 2)Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Face Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen and Soy Extract, 4 fl. OzNeutrogena Oil-Free Daily Long Lasting Facial Moisturizer & Neck Cream with SPF 35 Sunscreen & Glycerin, Non-Greasy, Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic Face Moisturizer, 2.5 fl. oz
Carry tissues and blotting paper when you go out.
This can really help not only remove the shine, but I also find it cooling and soothing on a hot day. Some of those skin cleansing wipes are a great take-along idea too.
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Matte Blotting PaperShiseido Pureness Gentle Oil Control Blotting Paper 100 SheetsOil Control Film Clean & Clear Oil-Absorbing Sheets 60 Sheets (Pack of 3)e.l.f. Cosmetics Mattifying Blotting Papers
Need to cool down fast?
Run your hands under cool water for a couple minutes. Place a cool wet cloth on the back of your neck. If you can, run your feet under cool running water too. You’d be surprised how instantly cooling this can feel.
Use a backyard tent or other covered area to create some shade.
You can make your own blanket fort style with some clothesline and a couple of sheets or light blankets. You can even find some made for the beach with built in UPF protection.
WolfWise UPF 50+ Easy Pop Up Beach Tent Sun Shelter Instant Automatic Portable Sport Umbrella Indoor Playhouse Baby Canopy CabanaShade&Beyond 8’x10′ Sun Shade Sails Canopy Rectangle for Patio Deck Yard Backyard, SandAlvantor Screen House Room Camping Tent Outdoor Canopy Dining Gazebo Pop Up Sun Shade Shelter 10 Mesh Walls Not Waterproof Beige 15’x15′ PatentBest Choice Products 10x10ft Outdoor Portable Adjustable Instant Pop Up Gazebo Canopy Tent w/Carrying Bag – WhiteMonobeach Baby Beach Tent Pop Up Portable Shade Pool UV Protection Sun Shelter for InfantMoon Lence Camping Tent 2/4/6 Person Lightweight Compact Backpacking Tent Double Layer Outdoor Tent Waterproof Windproof Anti-UV (2 Person Tent)
Use a fan.
Obviously, you can add fans to your home – the electric kind. Ceiling fans and portable fans can really help circulate the air. Even with central air conditioning, we use them to create more airflow.
Don’t ignore the value of a hand fan either. Sure, it will only cool you temporarily but I do find it can make a difference!
Tower Fan, 42 Inch Portable Oscillating Quiet Cooling Fan with Remote Controlled, 3 Modes and Speed Settings, Built-in Timer LED Display Stand Up Floor Fans Safe for Bedroom, Home Office Use, BlackPELONIS 16” 3-Speed Oscillating Pedestal Fan with 7-Hour Timer, Remote Control and Adjustable in Height, FS40-16JRB,BlackLasko 20EAONE 3 Pcs Hand Folding Fan, Abanicos de Mano Chinese Vintage Style Handheld Fan with Fabric Sleeve, Silk Fan with Bamboo Frame and Elegant Tassel for Party Wedding Dancing Decoration
Stay hydrated.
You can feel warmer and more fatigued when you are even just slightly dehydrated. Besides, you need to stay hydrated in order to protect yourself from heat exhaustion.
If you’re like me and aren’t a huge water fan, try infused water. I add fruits or vegetables to mine to give a little hint of flavor. It helps encourage me to drink more!
However, sometimes I also splurge and buy myself some Voss water. It’s one brand that I actually enjoy drinking!
VOSS Artesian Sparkling Water, 375 ml Glass Bottles (Pack of 12)Voss Water Flavored Sparkling Water, Lime Mint, 355 ml Cans (Pack of 24)VOSS Flavored Sparkling Water, Tangerine Lemongrass, 330 ml Plastic Bottles (12 Count)Fruit & Tea Infusion Water Pitcher – The PERFECT Christmas Gift – Free Ice Ball Maker – Free Infused Water Recipe Booklet – Includes Shatterproof Jug, Fruit Infuser, and Tea InfuserOMorc 32 OZ Sport Fruit Infuser Water Bottle, Flip Top Lid & Dual Anti-slip Grips, BPA Free Infuser Water Bottle, Free Recipes and A Cleaning Brush Gifts, Ideal for Your Office and Home
Have an icy treat.
Sure ice cream is cooling, but for hot days, I find ice pops all the more refreshing. Sometimes on a hot morning, I’ll have a frozen smoothie bar for breakfast!
You can buy your favorites at the store or you can make your own. Making your own allows you to control the nutrients in them and customize them to your own preferences.
CyvenSmart Silicone Ice Pop Molds for Kids with Lids, 4 Pieces Reusable Ice Popsicle Molds Ice Pop Maker for Kids and Adults DIY Frozen Popsicles with Cleaning BrushFrozip 125 Disposable Ice Popsicle Mold Bags| BPA Free Freezer Tubes With Zip Seals | For Healthy Snacks, Yogurt Sticks, Juice & Fruit Smoothies, Ice Candy Pops| Comes With A Funnel (8×2Otter Pops Ice Pops – Gluten & Fat Free Ice Pops, Delicious Frozen Treats Include Strawberry, Blue Raspberry, Grape, Lemon-Lime, Punch & Orange Flavors, 100Count of 1 oz. PopsPopsicle Molds, 6 Pieces Silicone Ice Pop Molds Reusable Easy Release Ice Pop Maker for DIY Frozen Popsicle with Silicone Funnel and Cleaning Brush
Plan some no cook meals.
These are the days when we’re having cold plates for dinner. If you want something a little different, try some vichysoisse (cold potato soup) or borscht (cold beet soup).
We often turn to pasta salads, potato salads, and making our own little charcuterie boards on hot days. Another idea is to make use of your slow cooker or Instant Pot to avoid turning on the oven. It really helps to keep the house cooler!
Hamilton Beach 7-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker With Flexible Easy Programming, Dishwasher-Safe Crock & Lid, Silver (33473)Hamilton Beach 9-in-1 Multi Cooker for Slow Cook, Saute, Steam, Rice, 6qt Nonstick Crock, Digital Electric, Stainless Steel (33065)Hamilton Beach 10-in-1 Multi-Function Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 quart, Steamer, Sauté and Warmer, Stainless Steel (34502)
Do some ice painting with the kids!
Made from water and food coloring, ice cube paints are a lot of fun! Of course, if it’s really hot out, be sure to paint quickly before they melt away.
Make some water sprayer paintings.
Next, I have another fun idea for you! Instead of freezing it in ice cubes, spray the “paint” from water sprayers. You can purchase super soaker kind or simply use plain spray bottles from the dollar store.
You can use any easel or clip some paper onto your fence. However, we love this inflatable easel since it’s so much fun and so easy to clean!
Nerf Super Soaker SoakzookaLiBa Spray Bottle (4 Pack,16 Oz), Commercial Grade/Industrial/Household Use, No Leak and Clog, Adjustable Nozzle, Bleach/Vinegar/BBQ/Rubbing Alcohol Safe, Squirt Spritzer Empty BottleHearthSong Heavy-Duty Vinyl Inflatable Indoor and Outdoor Easel for Kids with Paints, Sponges, Paintbrush, and Built-in Art Tray, 39
Play sponge tag.
You can have a lot of fun with wet sponges on a hot summer day! Play tag by touching others with a wet sponge. Use them to play a sponge ball toss game.
Let the kids help wash the car.
You can let them help wash the car or use water and sponges or brushes to “wash” the fence or the side of the house. Take out a bin of toys and a bucket of water and let them give their toys a bath.
You can even make or buy your own kiddie car wash for tons of fun!
Little Tikes Wacky Wash Childs Toy
Find more ideas for cooling off this summer here: Super Fun Water Play Ideas
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