Cool Ideas

Our old house is poorly insulated, so it never cools off at night. But instead of using energy-sucking fans, my husband, son, and I simply haul our mattresses onto our back deck and sleep under the stars. We’ve seen falling stars, opossums walking on our fence, and satellites racing across the sky. It has become a family tradition, one we look forward to every year. Bring on the heat!
Angelika Dawson
Abbotsford, British Columbia

I take a cool rinse at the end of my shower, then stand in front of the kitchen fan to “blow-dry” myself in the breeze. Afterward, I head to the refrigerator, where I keep a variety of beauty products: deodorant, talc, body spritzer, aloe vera gel, and astringent. Grooming never felt so refreshing.
Amy Myers
Branford, Connecticut

Train yourself to move more slowly. Dashing around or sitting fanning yourself frantically will only increase the heat around you. Walk, sit, and stand more slowly and deliberately, and breathe slowly, yoga-style, when you find it getting unbearable. Taking it slow calms you down and lowers your body temperature.
Luanne Redmond
Chicago, Illinois

We live in Arizona, so I know all about the summer heat. Probably first and foremost, I avoid heat-producing appliances. I forgo the hair dryer and let my hair air-dry as often as possible. I skip the clothes dryer, too, and hang the clothes on the line (they dry in about five minutes in Tucson). Finally, I cook as many meals as I can on the grill. All these things take me outside in the sunshine that I love, and they keep my house cooler, which I also love.
Loretta Dominguez
Tucson, Arizona

My husband and I jump on our bikes and ride along the beautiful American River bike path. The breezes from the river are cool and fragrant with summer blossoms. Just being able to look at the river makes us feel cooler.
Mary Kay Lapham
Gold River, California

The kitchen seems to heat up the most, especially while I’m cooking dinner. Lately I’ve started preparing meals to cook in the Crock-Pot, then setting it in the garage. I miss the smells of dinner cooking all day, but I don’t miss the heat of the oven.
Amy Vogelsberg
Phoenix, Arizona

I go to Central Park (but any park will do), find a cool place in the shade, kick off my shoes so I can enjoy the feeling of grass under my feet, and read a good book. I find that becoming immersed in someone else’s story transports me and makes me forget how hot I am, but I still get to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Erics Schachne
New York, New York

Ceiling fans, rotating fans, tower fans — if it moves the air, Texans will use it. Even with air-conditioning, fans help cool the air and keep the electric bill within reason.
Judith McKinnon
Keller, Texas

Frozen Wonders

Ice cream. You can’t have enough Bomb Pops, Creamsicles, or ice cream sandwiches — ever.
Whitney Ingram
Rancho Cucamonga, California

I turn on the air-conditioning and kick back with an icy-cold beverage. Vacuuming? Dusting? Dishes? No way!
Heidi Krumenauer
Stoughton, Wisconsin

The Perfect Threesome

Lawn chair, baby pool, bare feet.
Darla Gregersen
McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey

Your Turn

How do you beat the summer heat? Share your best keep-cool tips here — and read what others have said.