Stay Cool this Summer

Special Report

Stay Cool this Summer

UK houses don’t have air con as a rule. So how do we stay cool when the temperature rises? Think inside out - Drink and eat cold things! Iced water, tea and squash will keep you hydrated and cool. Try chilled watermelon, grapes, and sorbets. Make healthy lollies from diluted cordial with slices of lemon, lime, or cucumber. Poor man’s air con - Fans don’t cool air; they move it around. So put a bowl of iced water in front of your fan. This will cool the air blowing over the bowl and make the room feel cooler. If you have a ceiling fan make it spin anti-clockwise to create a cooling effect. The opposite is true in the winter. Refrigerate your pillowcase - I am not joking. Pop your clean cotton pillowcases into the fridge and put them on your pillow just before bed. It feels great against your skin. You can also keep clean damp flannels or linen tea towels in the fridge and use them to cool your face and the back of your neck. Be smart with windows - There is a reason many houses abroad have heavy shutters. They shade a home’s windows to prevent heat from getting in in the first place, keeping the house cool during the day.UK houses don’t generally have shutters, but a white-backed blind or thick curtains will definitely help. At night if you sleep on the first floor or above and it’s possible and safe to do so, open windows on opposite sides of the house to create a through draft. Avoid using heat indoors - Eat cold food, or grill outdoors. If you have to cook indoors, try a slow cooker or Microwave which generate much less external heat. Avoid using the tumble dryer by hanging clothes outside. Stay cool guys.