3 ways to stay cool (er) this summer

Essential oils seem to be a trendy alternative in medicine these days, but this powerful oil has many other uses too; including household cleaning and skin care. For our list however, the particular use is lowering your body’s internal temperature. According to many anecdotal accounts, many of which reference medical studies but unfortunately do not cite them, state that peppermint essential oil reduces the body’s internal temperature a degree or two during a low grade fever by rubbing a drop or two along the spine. If the oil is too “stimulating”, try adding the drop to a carrier oil or moisturizer  before rubbing into the skin.

In my own experience, I rub a drop into some carrier oil before applying to the back of my neck and down my chest and along my temples. I definitely feel cooler after doing so! The effect varies depending on the brand/strength/purity of the oil, but I’d say mine lasts a couple of hours, max. Perfect for the middle of the day if you find yourself outdoors sweltering in the sun!

There are other essential oils that lower one’s internal temperature, but I believe that peppermint is the most accessible of them.

2 // Staying hydrated + What that means for YOU

Though there is no direct relation between fluid consumption and internal body temperature, hydration is key to functioning well in the heat. Not only are you doing your body and skin good, but you are avoiding a serious risk of heat stroke where the body actually loses its ability to cool itself. Also, constantly swigging on something cold is bound to keep you feeling cooler than sitting there not drinking anything.

A lot of people seem to be confused about what constitutes staying hydrated. Many magazines have informed me to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day, while my own mother always told me to take my body weight in pounds and divide that number in half and to drink that many ounces of water (not just fluids) daily. How large is a glass of water? Is the pounds into ounces method enough on a hot day? The Mayo Clinic recommends something different (more than the magazines and less than my mother): stating that men in a temperate climate require 13 (8 ounce) cups of fluids daily, or 104 ounces total, and women require 9 (8 ounce) cups of fluids daily, or 72 ounces total.

If you find yourself in a warm house, outdoors in the summer, exercising, or pregnant or lactating, the numbers go up from there. Being pregnant this summer, I’ve found that if I don’t drink close to a gallon of fluids daily, or 128 ounces total, then I get terrible migraines. Go figure! I’m peeing like a race horse!!! But, I do feel much better and definitely feel cooler always having something cool to sip.

There are lots of internet tips for ways to ensure that you drink enough water each day, so I won’t go into all of that. Just drink up!!

3 // Wear a hat

I adore hats. I used to have a terrible habit of picking one up in every place to which I traveled. I say terrible, but really it was awesome! I love my hats!

But anywho…hats will keep the sun off of your face and isn’t your head the first place that you start feeling hot and bothered?! Like really bothered, not sexy bothered. It is for me! Furthermore my brunette readers, light colored hats will reflect heat and light off of your head, instead of your dark tresses absorbing all of that heat. I promise you this is science. Black absorbs heat and light. Black is literally the absorption of all color wavelengths of light. White is the opposite. It is the reflection of all wavelengths of light. Utilize it in your wardrobe choices head to toe and your body will thank you in these summer months.

Finally, hats can be quite the fashion statement. They add a certain je ne sais quoi to an outfit that says, “I put this together intentionally, respect me.” What more could you ask for when you just blew out a fuse trying to use your blow dryer in the 90 degree temps and your hair is less-than-fixed? Nothing.

Here are some reasonably priced favorites for this summer.

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