Photos: 10 cheap and creative ways to beat the heat

 

Temperatures are on the rise in B.C. but don’t sweat it, there’s plenty you can do to cool down. Here’s some suggestions:

 
June 29, 2013
 
 
 
1. On the rocks: If your fan isn’t cooling you down and seems to be only blowing that hot air around, try placing a shallow bowl filled with ice in front of it to increase the windchill factor.
 

1. On the rocks: If your fan isn’t cooling you down and seems to be only blowing that hot air around, try placing a shallow bowl filled with ice in front of it to increase the windchill factor.

Photograph by: Michael Aporius, Edmonton Journal

 
1. On the rocks: If your fan isn’t cooling you down and seems to be only blowing that hot air around, try placing a shallow bowl filled with ice in front of it to increase the windchill factor.
2. Switch off: Turn off computers, printers, actually ALL the many appliances you have plugged in sitting on standby. Skipping the dry cycle on your dishwasher, line dry your clothes and turning off your computer(s) when they aren’t in use are all good ways to keep the temperature down. Even light bulbs generate heat, especially the incandescent ones. Go the whole hog and unplug all the TVs, video, gaming consoles as well (tell the kids it’s a survival game and the one who complains first has to
3. Spritz yourself to bits: This one is so simple: keep a spray bottle of water in the fridge and spray your pulse points (head, neck, wrists, back of knees etc). Add a cucumber or lemon rind for an aromatherapy pick-me-up. Spritzing yourself is a fast way to cool down.
4. Go public: If the house is a sweatbox, don’t stay home. The mall, the cinema, the library, the community centre gym, even the supermarket all offer free air conditioning. I once had to spend a day waiting for a bus in north Queensland, Australia, in 40 deg C heat and unobtrusively camped out in the post office to beat the heat. Do lock up before heading out, though. Burglars just LOVE a good heat wave.
5. Do the obvious: Stay hydrated. Water is your most effective choice here, and Metro Vancouver tap water is both free and tasty. If your tastebuds have been ruined by years of soda and sugary liquids, do what you need to, but remember the less stressed your body is the better it copes with high temperatures.
6. Don’t obsess: Really, don’t sweat it. There is NOTHING you can do about the weather. Ever. Turn off that weather app, and skip the weather part of the newspaper. Ignorance really is bliss — studies have shown you can feel cooler if you don’t know the air temperature. The European Journal of Applied Physiology tested a bunch of cyclists, and found if they thought it wasn’t really hot when it actually was they performed just as well as they did when it was 10 deg. C cooler.
7. Don’t cook: Eat out (free aircon remember?), or eat up all those leftovers. Use a non-heat producing appliance like a sous vide or slow cooker, or break out the barbecue (only Dad gets hot then). Smoothies are not only a liquid breakfast for Lululemon pant wearers, either. Slap together a salad, or gorge on watermelon and tell everyone else that structured meals are over-rated, and passe in 30 degree heat.
8. Give low-tech a twirl: Use one of those umbrellas all Vancouverites own as a parasol to shield you from the sun. Twirl it like you mean it, and be come a trend setter. Add a hand fan (my local T&T sells them for less than the price of a pack of gum) and you’re good to go. A hand fan can make all the difference on a transit commute.
9. Three sheets to the wind: All the windows and doors are open and it’s still hot. Try spraying a bed sheet with cold water and hang it over an opening. Any passing breeze will cooler after it passes through. Also a bonus bug screen. If the neighbours raise their eyebrows, tell them it’s a dress rehearsal for Halloween.
10. Don’t forget the pets: A salt lick will help keep your best friend cool. Throw some chew toys, chicken broth and water into a large plastic bag and freeze it while sitting in a wide mouth container. After it is frozen, peel off the bag and serve.
 
 
 
 
 

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