Simple Ways to Stay Cool This Summer

Summer is often a time for catching up with friends, enjoying the outdoors, exercising, and spending more time in the garden. But during periods of extreme heat, staying cool can become a real challenge, especially if you don’t have air conditioning at home.

Older people, people with disability, and young children are more vulnerable to heat-related illness. Taking a few simple steps can help keep your home cooler and support your comfort and wellbeing on hot days.

Here are some practical ways to stay cool this summer, even without air conditioning.

Keep the Heat Out

Preparing your home early in the day can make a big difference to how comfortable it feels later on. A lot of heat enters through windows and doors, so on very hot days it helps to close windows, curtains, and blinds early in the morning before the temperature rises.

Using heavier curtains or blinds to block direct sunlight can stop rooms from heating up as the day goes on. Reducing exposure to hot air helps keep your home cooler than the outdoors, and even small changes like this can make a noticeable impact.

Use Fans Effectively

Fans can be a helpful way to move air around a room, but they work best when set up correctly. Did you know that ceiling fans can be set to spin clockwise and counter-clockwise? If you have a ceiling fan, check that it’s set to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction during summer. This pushes air downward and creates a gentle cooling effect on your skin.

If you don’t have a ceiling fan, tower fans, portable fans, or hand-held battery fans can also help improve airflow. Placing a fan near an open doorway or window during cooler parts of the day or evening can help draw in cooler outdoor air and circulate it through the room.

Stay Hydrated and Refreshed

Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day is one of the most important ways to manage heat. Cool water is ideal, while chilled herbal teas, such as peppermint, can also feel refreshing.

It’s best to limit coffee and alcohol on very warm days, as these can contribute to dehydration. Choosing lighter meals and avoiding heavy foods during the hottest part of the day may also help you feel more comfortable.

Create a Cooler Breeze

If you don’t have air conditioning, or prefer not to run it constantly, a simple alternative can offer some relief. Placing a frozen bottle of water or ice packs in front of a small fan can help cool the air slightly as it moves around the room.

Be sure to place the bottle or ice packs on a tray or saucer to catch any condensation. While this won’t replace air conditioning, it can make hot days feel a little more manageable.

Unplug Heat-Producing Electronics

Everyday electronics and devices can generate more heat than you might expect, even when they’re on standby. Leaving multiple items plugged in can add to the overall warmth of a room.

Unplugging devices when they’re not in use can help reduce unnecessary heat and keep your space feeling a little cooler.

Make Sleeping More Comfortable

Hot nights can make it harder to get a good night’s sleep. Lightweight bedding and breathable fabrics can help, as can wearing loose-fitting nightwear.

Some people find gently dampening a sheet or towel and using it as a light cover feels cooling. If temperatures drop overnight and it’s safe to do so, opening windows may also help bring in cooler air.

A Little Extra Support in Summer

Staying cool during summer can take extra planning and energy. If hot weather makes everyday tasks harder to manage, a little extra support at home makes a difference.

Simply Helping offers flexible in-home support services, so you can stay comfortable and safe through the warmer months. Whether you need assistance around the home or support with daily routines, our team is here to help.

Click here to contact your local Simply Helping team, and to learn more about how our in-home care and support services can help you or a loved one.