10 steps to staying cool in this heat

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It's hot!  And it's not even July yet!  There is no argument about that.  Here are some tips to help you stay cool this summer.

1. When your body is hot your body works hard to cool down.  (One example is sweating).  The one thing you want to do is drink something cold.  When you do this you take your internal organs and make them cold when your external organ is hot.  You do not want to take the opposing organs to this much of an extreme.  When you are hot, drink something warm first: tea, coffee, etc (preferably caffeine free: see #4).  This will normalize your body temperature easier.  Once you have done this you can enjoy your cold beverage.
2. I know, I know driving with the AC on full blast is nice.  BUT if you are in and out of your car a lot during the day this can actually be too hard on your body.  As with the cold drink, you are taking your body from one extreme to another. 
3. When it is extremely hot...you know like the weather we have had the last week and expect to have for yet another week....wet towels ARE YOUR FRIEND!  A cool towel (not cold and not ice) draped around your neck will do wonders.  I will also run cool water over my wrists.  Avoid ICE when you are hot.  Again, it is too big of an extreme and you won't feel any cooler using ice vs. cool towels. 
4. NO SODA, yes this means pop!  Soda causes dehydration.  Okay study shows caffeine and sugar will cause dehydration.  Don't believe me....try it.  On a hot day drink a soda.  15 minutes later you will be thirsty if not immediately afterwards.  If you are thirsty drink water.  I love to add lime to my water.  It is recommended that eight (8) glasses of water a day is needed to just to survive.  This amount does not take into consideration if you exercise or the temperature.  Use this calculator to determine how much water you should be drinking daily.
5. Eat a lot of fruit.  Fruit is a refreshing way for your body to get fluids that are lost through sweat. 
6. Cover your head if you plan on being outside. Hats, Hats, Hats are not just a fashion statement.  Wearing a hat can help you reduce your core body temperature.
7. Eat smaller meals.  When your body digests food it it focused on digestion and will not cool your core temperature as well.  Eat smaller meals more frequently.
8. Loose, light clothing.  Black absorbs the heat.  Light colored clothes will keep you cooler.  Wear loose clothes so your body is able to breathe.
9. Try to do all of your running around in the morning or early evening.  Temperatures are cooler at this time and you will avoid taking your body to extremes.
10. We hear about energy costs getting approval to raise their rates so running the AC is getting expensive.  Have your warm beverage at home then go to Jimmy's Tavern and soak up their AC and have a nice cold beverage!!!