Whew! It’s sizzlin’ in SC. Here are 9 ways to beat the heat when the temperature soars to 100.
Used to be, folks sat outside in the cool of a Southern evening to beat the summer heat.
They had big trees around their houses and wrap-around porches.
Then came air conditioning. By 1970, 84% of Southern homes had air conditioning.
And yet, even now, air conditioning has its limits when the temperature soars, like what’s happening this week in South Carolina. HVAC installers say typically an air conditioner is designed to keep a home 20 degrees cooler than the outside air.
So when it’s 100 outside that means … well, you know.
Here are some tips to at least stay comfortable.
Clothing — Tight synthetic dark clothes are the devil in summer. Loose, light-colored, natural fabrics such as cotton and linen are your best bets. Ever wonder why those Southern lawyers wore searsucker? Nowadays there are thermal regulation fabrics that scientists say have a 55% greater cooling effect.
What to eat — The message here is stay hydrated. Foods that are high in water content such as cantaloupe, watermelon and strawberries are helpful in keeping cool. Also vegetables such as celery, cucumber and cauliflower, as well as healthy smoothies and coconut water with vitamins, minerals and electrolytes, Healthline.com suggests. The website also said “peppermint is known for its cooling properties due to its high menthol content, which makes one have the sensation of feeling cooler.” This may be something from the days of porch sitting on a summer evening but drinking buttermilk has two benefits — cooling the body and improving metabolism.
Oh so soothing — Cold foot bath! Cold water, ice cubes equal instant relaxation, especially if you’ve been on your feet all day. Healthline.com recommends adding “a few drops of peppermint essential oil for an added cooling effect.”
In your home
Close the blinds — First and foremost keep that hot summer sun out of your rooms as much as you can. Familyhandyman.com also recommends installing ceiling fans (make sure they are set to spin the right direction for summer — counterclockwise.) Also helpful may be installing heat reducing film on windows.
Mechanisms — A fan attached to ducts can boost the amount of cool air coming into a room. They are easy to install and simply plug into an outlet. Portable air conditioning units are recommended for rooms that are especially warm like those that are south-facing.
The natural way — Housebeautiful.com recommends houseplants. “Plants act as natural air conditioners and generate moisture into the atmosphere through a process known as transpiration,” the website said. Check out plants such as peace lilies, rubber plants, snake plants, weeping fig , Chinese evergreen and palms.
Change your sheets — Just as with clothes, cotton is cool. This is scientifically proven. Lucy Ackroyd, head of design at Christy England, said, “Pure cotton sheets have sensory benefits and are naturally breathable so they help to regulate your temperature and moisture levels while you sleep, stopping the clammy feeling you can experience with synthetic fibers.”
Your refrigerator rules — The Sleep Council suggests your refrigerator is your cooling friend. Putting your pillow case and some socks in the refrigerator to lower your core body temperature.
Odds and ends — Turn off unused appliances such as computers, limit charging electronics, turn off lights. Remember every little bit helps when health-affecting temperatures soar.
This story was originally published June 13, 2022 at 11:59 AM.