Beat the heat.

Although this coming weekend is not looking like it’s going as hot as last weekend, it still looks like a nice comfortable warm one.

One of the many benefits of living on the hill is the lower temperatures due to the lush trees surrounding our town.
Trees provide an evaporative cooling effect that can decrease local air temperatures by several degrees Fahrenheit.

When the temperatures do rise again; here are the Top 10 Ways to Beat the Heat according to lifehacker.com.

10. Drink More Water
Seems like a no-brainer. Staying hydrated helps with so many things. When you’re sweating a lot, drinking enough water becomes even more important. Of course water isn’t your only option for hydration but with the quality water that the Pine Cove Water District supplies, why would you want anything else?!

9. Keep Excessive Sweat at Bay
Thankfully we don’t have some of the high humidity on the hill that some other places get as it can be the worst part of the heat. You can get the sweating under control with a few tricks, like applying antiperspirant at night and wearing breathable clothing materials, such as cotton.

8. Make a DIY Air Conditioner
Running the AC can get expensive so why not make your own? There are plenty of options to choose from if you do an internet search.

7. Optimize Your Fans
Did you know that if you face your box fan out, rather than in at night, your room will stay cooler and you might be able to sleep more comfortably?
If you have a ceiling fan, run it counter-clockwise (the “summer” higher-speed setting) for optimum cooling.

6. Keep Your Food Cool and Avoid Using the Oven
This is a great time to pull out that slow cooker you hid away after winter. You can make a whole meal without adding too much heat to your kitchen. There are rice cookers that also have a steamer tray that can serve the same purpose. Cold soups and salads are a great option too; pasta salad, bean salad, gatzpacho, cold shredded chicken on a bed of lettuce. Get creative and see what you can come up with.

5. Exercise Comfortably, Even in the Heat
If you enjoy exercising, you don’t have to stop just because it’s hot. Switch it up to water sports, avoid the sun at it’s strongest time (usually afternoon), and exercising in short bursts.

4. Optimize Your Windows (and black out curtains)
Close windows and use insulated drapes to keep the sun out during the day and open them at night when the sun is down. You can also hang a damp towel in front of the window to cool the air flowing into your home and open opposing windows or windows on the top and bottom floors for maximum air flow.

3. Cool Your Car Down Quickly
Prior to getting on the road, roll down one window and open and close the opposite door a few times to cool the car down.

2. Stay Cool While You Sleep
Cool your head with a special pillow like the Chillow, sleep on top of a wet sheet, or do some research online for other cool sleeping strategies.

1. Know Your Body’s Best Cooling Points
There are points on your body that react best to cooling. For me, it’s the back of my neck, for some, it could be your wrists or top of the head. By applying ice cubes or an ice pack wrapped in a towel (or any other cold object) to these pulse points, you’ll cool down more quickly and effectively.

What other tactics can you suggest for keeping cool?