There’s nothing like a summer heatwave to kick your ass into gear, and out of your SHORTS at the first opportunity too, if you live without air conditioning like I am right now. I’ve become something of an expert on hot weather, partly by accident, and partly by doing my research. The accidental part was by realizing that in spite of my near-Albino-like pigmentation, I don’t sunburn easily, and I seem to be much more tolerant of heat than most people. The research was a result of repeatedly being accused of being an alien for always wearing black and not sweating like a normal human, and then just getting curious about it all. As a result, I’ve got some hot tips and cool mythbusters to share, as we experience one of the hottest summers on record.
1.) Myth: Light colored clothes keep you cooler than black clothes. Nope. There are REASONS so many nomadic desert peoples wear black. Learn them here .
2.) Myths about hydration and dehydration: Before we dig in, did you know that humans have 2.6 million sweat glands? Gross huh? Anyway, this is one area where people get really crazy. Here’s a summary:
a.) Contrary to a fairly common belief, drinking cold water will not make most people’s body heat up. However, when training or in extremely hot weather, it’s not a great choice, for a number of reasons. Ask any singer; icy cold water tightens up your vocal chords – why would it not have similar effects on other body parts? Most people will also have a psychological response to icy cool water that makes them want more, and to gulp it. Staying hydrated is best achieved with a “normal” steady intake of water that’s closer to your body temperature.
b.) Some people say you should avoid air conditioning on hot days if you have to work outside, because of acclimation issues. They also say to drink lots and lots of fluids, preferably energy drinks rich with electrolytes, or to take salt tablets. These people are not actually STUPID, but they’re not doctors, and they’re partly WRONG in potentially dangerous ways. Check out these National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommendations for details. There are easy ways to tell if you’re dehydrated, and normal food intake is quite adequate for electrolyte production.
c.) People often say that drinking iced coffee or iced tea will dehydrate you. This myth probably stems from the fact that caffeine has diuretic qualities. The fact is that the vast amount of water in typical coffee or tea renders the minimal diuretic effect nearly irrelevant. Drinking a dense espresso drink may be a different story, but otherwise, you can probably relax on this one. If it were true, I’d be dead by now.
More tips
If you don’t have AC, remember basic physical science, and think about drafting effects. If it’s cooler at night, open the windows, and if you can, use more than one window fan to both blow air in and out, and if possible, put the outblowing fan at the top of the window. Ceiling exhaust fans can be helpful to pull the warmer air out too. Entire energy efficient homes are built with convection and induction in mind, why not use a little yourself? In the morning, close the windows and draw the blinds or curtains.
Another strangely effective and counter-intuitive trick is running your shower with cold water. This can cool a warm bathroom by several degrees rather rapidly. A more subtle version of this phenomena is actually used for cooling large arenas.
On the other hand, JUMPING IN to a cold shower is not especially recommended; it can trigger your body’s “thermostat” and you’ll end up warmer than you were. However, this is a slightly subjective thing; a cool-feeling shower that’s not TOO cold can be very effective in generally cooling you down. Use common sense.
