8 Ways to Beat the Heat

For those of you who don’t know, I’m from Florida but grew up in Sicily, Italy. Both of these are hot places, especially in the summertime, so I’ve learned a few tricks to beat the heat of summer! Join me and two Blended Blog friends as we share our tips!

8 Ways to Beat the Heat

1. Dress Appropriately.

Now is the time to shed those heavy fabrics! Put away heavy  denim (colored or otherwise) and opt for a lighter weight pair or better yet, wear shorts or capris! If you, like me, don’t feel comfortable wearing short shorts (2.5 inches?? really??),try wearing a longer short length like 5 or 7 inch length or even Bermudas (Old Navy and Land’s End are my favorites for these) or a light, flowy skirt! Skirts are a great alternative to shorts, especially if you wear a culotte slip under them (for “chaffage.”) The air can circulate and they only touch you at the waistband!

2. Stay Inside!

This is an obvious choice but when you live in the extreme heat like we do, you learn to do your outside activities in the spring and fall. Summer is a good time to catch a movie, shop at an indoor mall, or get a gym membership since these are all places with good air conditioning!

3. Get out early!

If you do want to get outside, do it early. I back up my running time by a half hour so that we can get our run over before the sun is very high. I also like to garden in the early morning before the humidity rises and the sun beats down on my head!

4. Water Water Everywhere!

Another way to enjoy the outdoor is if there is water involved. The beach, the pool, the lake, the river and even a sprinkler makes the heat bearable. We have enjoyed going to water parks, float down the Ichetucknee, snorkle in the Keys or lounge by a friend’s pool. If there’s water involved, I’m there!

5. Stay in the Shade (even if you have to create your own).

As I get older I can no longer tolerate the sun as I used to. Now I gladly sit in the shade of an umbrella or tree and enjoy the beach/pool/river. Sometimes I even wear a long-sleeved swim tee and…

6. Wear a Hat and Sunglasses.

If there is absolutely no shade to be had, then at the very least wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. The sunglasses help to keep you from squinting in the glare of the sun on the water.

7. Stay Hydrated.

Since you’ll be sweating a lot, it’s important to stay hydrated. I’m a terrible water drinker but two things that help me is drinking through a straw and drinking cold water. I either like to use my Corksicle  which as a straw AND keeps my water cold or my Lifefactory glass bottle since I really like to drink from glass.

8. Indulge in Cold Treats.

These days I’m eating a whole lot healthier so gone are the days of Starbucks Frappuccinos, Slurpees and Big Gulps. But I will, from time to time, splurge on some Whit’s Frozen Custard or Hyppo Gourmet Pops. Or more than likely make some sort of homemade healthy version of iced coffee or “skinny chocolate.” Or better yet, our version of a skinny margarita or mojito!

There you go! My 8 tips for keeping cool during the dog days of summer. Now go check out Deena’s and Christy’s blog, two Canadians, to see what they do to beat the heat! (I bet I’d wear a cardigan during their “heat”!)

What tips would you add? Let me know in the comments!