Summer is coming. And for those who don’t have an air conditioning system in their house, so are those stifling nights of immense heat that leave anyone tossing and turning in bed at night, sleeplessly. Let’s not forget that having an air conditioner at home is a true luxury that many people don’t have access to. After all, it is a costly appliance that also considerably increases the electricity bill. If you are fortunate enough to afford all that, good for you, but the rest of the people will have to deal with the heat of summer nights differently. In this regard, creativity and improvisation become two important mottos. Here are 11 great tips and strategies that will help you stay calm when you don’t have an AC unit.
1. DIY Air Conditioner
When you don’t have an air conditioner, you build one yourself. Don’t panic, you don’t need an engineering degree. It’s fairly simple. Here’s what you need to do: – Grab a bowl and fill it with as many ice cubes as you possibly can. – Put the bowl in front of an electric fan. That’s about it. You have just built an air conditioner in two steps. As the ice cubes liquify, they will cool down the air above the bowl. The fan will then blow that cool air throughout your room. You will feel a nice breeze that will help you fall asleep. It isn’t stupid if it works, right?
2. Cotton Bed Sheets
Lightweight cotton bed sheets can help you stay cool while sleeping. This type of fabric is extremely breathable and allows proper ventilation and airflow. This is key to prevent your body from sweating. If you are the kind of person who doesn’t like to sleep uncovered, this is an excellent option for you. In case you are wondering, Egyptian cotton is probably the highest quality cotton you can find.
3. Cold Shower Before Bed
One of the best ways to fight the high temperatures of hot summer nights is by taking a cold shower right before bedtime. This will cool down your whole body and rinse off sweat, so you will most likely fall asleep in the blink of an eye. If you hate cold showers, taking a regular one can help anyway. It won’t be as effective, but the body also cools down when the water from the skin evaporates, so a standard shower will get the job done. Additional tip: use peppermint soap to refresh your skin!
4. Cooling Pillow
This term is used to describe pillows made from specific materials such as latex or gel-infused memory foam that offer temperature neutrality. This means that these pillows don’t get as hot as traditional ones, no matter how long your head rests on them. Every little thing may help in the fight against the heat.
5. Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is important for several reasons, and you already know most of them. But did you know that it can help your body regulate its internal temperature more efficiently? Drink a little bit of water before going to bed. Be careful, because if you drink too much, you will probably wake up in the middle of the night with a sudden urge to urinate. And nobody likes that feeling.
