How to Stay Cool In Your Apartment This Summer
The heat of summer has arrived. It's time for a little fun in the sun. But when you get back indoors, you want to be comfortable so you need a good working air conditioning unit.
Assuming you live here at Overlook Lakes, we've got you covered with central air conditioning and an onsite maintenance staff to keep the cool air flowing all summer long. But the tips below can still provide additional relief. Of course if you live elsewhere and your air conditioner breaks down, these tips might be exactly what you need to get by.
Here are some tips to help keep you cool and feeling good...
Wear Cotton Clothing and Use Cotton Sheets
Perhaps it's time to upgrade your wardrobe with cotton this summer. Cotton is an excellent fabric for hot summer days and nights because it is breathable and allows for good airflow ventilation.
Heat during the day is one thing, but being too hot while you're trying to sleep is another. If you want to sleep comfortably, consider switching to cotton bedding.
Put Your Bed Sheets In Your Freezer
I love this trick to feel extra comfortable at bed time... Pack your bed sheets into a plastic bag and then put the bag in the freezer. Do this a couple hours before going to bed to get them nice and chilled down. Then at bed time get them out, put them on your bed, and enjoy the chill. The sheets won't stay cold all night, but the initial cooling will help you fall asleep better.
Wear Looser Clothing
If you decide to wear warm, heavy clothing when it's hot out, that's your decision. You can choose to work up a good sweat. But if you want comfort in the heat, you should keep your clothes as loose as possible. You need a loose cotton dress or shirts, pants (or shorts), and underwear. Likewise, when it's bedtime, choose cotton pajamas and reduce coverage so the heat escapes easily.
Enjoy A Cross Breeze
If your air conditioner isn't keeping you cool enough, enhance the results with additional fans. Load your apartment with fans moving air in every direction. Not only will this help distribute the cool air of your air conditioner, but it will also allow you to feel the breeze which will help keep you cooler. With enough fans you can go anywhere in your apartment and feel the cooling air.
Stay Properly Hydrated
When you're hot, you have to drink more water. Be sure you stay properly hydrated. And, at night, since you might be tossing and turning because of the heat, you need additional fluids then too. You can beat dehydration by drinking a lot of water before bed or by having a full glass of water next to your bed so that you can grab a drink in the night. Another good idea at bedtime is to take a cold shower. This can reduce your body temperature, or at least your skin temperature, so that you feel more comfortable.
Be Sure to Turn Off Lights
Light bulbs produce more than just light. They also generate heat. Any room with lights on is getting warmer than it would if the lights were off. Therefore, it's a good idea to turn lights off when you don't need them. Just turn them back on when you need the extra light.
With these tips, I hope you find that your time indoors in the hot summer heat can be more comfortable!