I. Menthol does for cold what capsaicin does for heat, some ideas-
Try switching your soap out for a mint soap so that when you bathe, you get an all over cooling sensation that will last a bit
Try a mint deodorant to stay fresh and get a shot of cool to the parts of your body that need it. Native has a few mint scents every summer. Cucumber Mint is like B&BWâs Cucumber Melonâs older, more sophisticated, NB sibling: highly recommend.
Mix up some roll on mint oil to dab on your pulse points while out and about. 2.5 ml of essential oil : 100 ml carrier oil such as jojoba. This is also great for cooling the itch of mosquito bites, sunburn, and poison ivy. If youâd prefer a solid formula, mix the same ratio of mint oil to coconut oil and keep it in a lip balm tin.
Burtâs Bees lip balm (the plain yellow one) is a beeswax based peppermint infusion that you can use anywhere you donât mind feeling waxy.
II. Cover up if youâre going to be outside for extended periods of time
Wear a big hat to protect yourself from the sun or carry a parasol. Keeping the sun off of your head will help you stay cool longer and youâll be carrying your shade with you.
Wear light colors and cover your body. This sounds crazy, but people from hot climates (whether desert or tropical) traditionally wear body covering clothing in light or bright colors. Try it! Itâs like a floppy hat for your whole body. Youâre preventing the heat of the sun from touching your skin and making you sweat. White reflects light and heat, the darker in value a color is the more heat it absorbs.
Fiber content matters! Natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool, and linen deal with the heat better than synthetics like polyester or acrylic. Rayon is made from wood pulp and does ok but is weaker when wet so proceed with caution. Cotton fibers are hygroscopic which means that they hold and absorb water which is why theyâre so good for face masks and can make you feel clammy when you get sweaty. Linen, hemp, and ramie are stem fibers and convey water along their length. Thereâs a specific fine wool called âtropical weight woolâ which is used to make menâs summer suits. Itâs very light weight and smooth, allowing the wool to work its magic. Wool is excellent at managing water and can hold up to 30% of its weight in water before it even starts to feel damp. It also wicks water away from the skin further allowing you to feel cool longer. Iâm not sure about silkâs specific heat properties, but every time Iâve worn a silk dress to a summer wedding, Iâve been perfectly comfortable. Plus it is the traditional fabric for saris and if anyone knows how to dress in heat and humidity, itâs Indian women.
Carry a hand fan. You can make your own breeze, have a gorgeous accessory, and use it to gesture with like an 18th century coquette. Youâve always wanted to gossip behind your fan to your bestie, right?
III. addendums to OPâs points
frozen fruit in general is amazing. My kids especially like frozen watermelon and frozen bananas. You can also make your own popsicles out of pureed fruit or plain fruit juices. An old school summer treat, is to pour OJ in an ice cube tray and then put in toothpicks once itâs started to set for handles.
You can freeze partially full water bottles and then fill it the rest of the way from the tap to have cool water longer.
For a make-shift AC unit, fill a basin with ice cubes, sprinkle with a table spoon of salt and set in front of an oscillating fan. Way more economical than standing in front of the open fridge.
Take a leaf from Marilyn Monroeâs book and put your pajamas in the freezer for a half hour before putting them on.
