Summer is Officially Here!

Summer is officially here and with it comes high temperatures.  Across the country things are warming up and we are forced to find ways to cool off.  Being out in the sun is great but we can only handle so much exposure in the high temperatures before we overheat.  Out of necessity we must find ways to chill out and cool down to ensure we have a great summer. 

Air Conditioning

When it gets too hot to handle outside all of us run to the nearest air conditioner we can find.  This is often in our homes or vehicles; however, we must consider that this does come at a cost.  It is easy to turn down the air temperature on a thermostat, but we usually do not consider the cost of doing so.  Running an air conditioner takes a lot of power and in an economy where energy prices are skyrocketing the cost of overuse can amount quickly.  We will clearly continue to use air conditioning to make ourselves more comfortable, but we can also be aware of what we are doing.  Setting a reasonable temperature and adjusting your homes humidity level are simple ways to ensure we are being economical.  A house set at 72 degrees is comfortable for most people.  Lower the temperature to the mid 60’s might feel amazing but will have a huge impact on your gas or energy bill.  So, when setting up your home or adjusting the settings in your car, remember to be comfortable but not to overdo it.  A few extra degrees of coolness might cost you big time in the long run. 

Water to the Rescue

The easiest way to cool off from being out in the sun has not differed in thousands of years, if ever.  Water is our greatest ally.  We drink it, we use it to clean ourselves, and we can use it to cool off on a hot day.   There are numerous ways to used water to relax in the sun.  The most sought-after options is to find a community pool to go to or make friends with someone who has a home pool assuming you are not fortunate enough to have a home pool of your own.  If you are looking for something simpler, you can always get a cheap inflatable pool or kiddy pool to relax in.  These are affordable and can be used almost anywhere. If a pool seems like overkill, you can always investigate an old fashion sprinkler and hose options, slip n slides, or even some sort of misting fan. The options out there are limitless, and a simple online search will yield plenty of ideas.  Just remember not to overdo it and to not blow the budget.  Finally, look for something that is water efficient and reusable.  It is never good to be wasteful.

Nature

Part of the fun of the summer season is getting to spend more time outside.  We have more daylight to maximize spending time embracing nature.  If we think about all the wonders of outdoors, we will realize that nature does provide many ways to cool us off.  Trees and large forests provide plenty of shade and spending time in wooded areas lets us escape the demands of the modern world.  Spending some time outside without technology can be just we need.  Summer is the best season to go camping, to go kayaking, to go fishing, to go boating, and to go to the beach.  These activities allow us time to decompress and to get away and if we do them properly the sun will become our friend and not our enemy.  The wind can be our best friend as well.  The feeling of a nice breeze on a warm summer day is unmatched.  It allows us to get fresh air and to get the smells of the natural world around us.  Finally, we must never forget that weather does change.  If it stays hot for too long eventually it will rain.  There is something about a thunderstorm or rainy day in the mist of summer that helps relax and rejuvenate us all.  We all like our high tech devices but it is important to remember that cooling of the natural way not only feels good but can be very helpful to our mental state and our souls. 

Temperatures may be high, and we will sweat if we spend all day outside.  We must not look at this as a bad thing.  There are plenty of ways to cool off if need be and getting some sun is good for the mind, the body, and the soul.  Make the most of summer and remember if none of these simple tips are working for you and you are still feeling the heat, you can always go get some ice cream.  After all, who doesn’t like some good cold ice cream on a warm summer day?