Beat The Heat With Creativity

If you're having my kind of luck this week, maybe your home air conditioning isn't working either.

So as I sit here (outside of my house) I thought I'd offer some tips for staying cool, should you end up in a similar sweaty predicament. Or if you are one of the millions of Americans who don't have air conditioning, or are trying to conserve energy in these financially conservative times.

Though a few of these suggestions border on unusual, I urge you to consider giving them a go:

1. I know it sounds insane, but if you put your bed sheets in a large freezer storage bag and toss them in the ice chest for a few hours before bed, you'll thank me. By the time you settle in for the night, they'll be nice and cool against your skin.

2. Make sure you're altering your workout routine for the cooler times of day.

3. Clothes dryers and dishwashers produce a lot of heat, so use them when you're not in your house and more conservatively.

4. Keep your shades and blinds closed throughout the house to reduce the amount of heat produced by the sunlight coming through windows.

5. Take your cooking outdoors with a grill. Use the stove top and oven sparingly. Both generate heat and keep the cook sweating.

6. Sunburned pores are less efficient at releasing sweat, so make sure you slather on SPF15 or higher when outdoors.

7. It may seem like common sense, but hydration is key to staying healthy in the heat. Drink lots of water. Drinks with caffeine and alcohol can actually make you more dehydrated, so avoid them when possible.

8. When it's hot outside, think about "laying low." Search out the basement or lowest level of your house to hang out, since heat rises.

9. Take off a layer or two. No, I'm not suggesting you stroll around your house naked (and if you do, please revert back to #4) but less is more when it comes to clothing choices in warm weather.

10. If you're like me and you spend most of your day on a computer, consider stepping away from the device. They generate heat (and your hands are on them for hours at a time). Another important tip: if you use a laptop, make sure you don't actually put it in your lap. A computer on your lap can drastically increase your body temperature.

No matter why you may be forgoing air conditioning this summer, I urge you to take creative action to stay safe and cool, and share any tips you may have with your fellow readers.