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Temperature regulation

None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.

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  1. Place a wet hand or a cold, wet paper towel on the back of your neck to cool down.

    A lot of blood flows through the neck, and the damp cloth helps take heat from it. As the cloth heats up, high-energy water molecules evaporate, leaving cooler ones behind.

    4 people, independently

  2. Freeze sheets, pillows, or large water bottles (wrapped in a towel) and place them in bed before sleeping.

    • The cooling effect does not last long.

    7 people, independently

    • Soak a hand towel in cold water or refrigerate it, then place it on your head.3

  3. Spend time in public air-conditioned spaces like libraries, federal buildings, or cooling centers during the hottest parts of the day.

    These places offer free air conditioning.

    5 people, independently

  4. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and help regulate body temperature.

    Hydration helps you sweat and keeps you cooler; drinking cold water does not warm you up.

    6 people, independently

  5. Spray water on your skin and position yourself near a fan, or use a fan to dry off gradually after showering.

    This can make a significant difference in cooling.

    5 people, independently

  1. Place a frozen water bottle in the cage of small pets like rabbits or hamsters for them to lean against during heat.

    • Fur and condensation may reduce effectiveness.
    • Wrap the bottle in a towel to prevent injury.

    3 people, independently

  2. Mist yourself with a spray bottle of cold water, or dampen sheets and socks, to prolong cooling via evaporation.

    Evaporation will cool.

    5 people, independently

  3. Use a fan to circulate air, especially if you have moisture on your skin like sweat or a wet shirt.

    Moving air makes you feel cooler even if it does not lower the temperature.

    3 people, independently

  4. Build a homemade evaporative cooler (swamp cooler) using a fan, ice or frozen water bottles, and a container like a cooler or bucket.

    • Works very well in dry heat; otherwise, it may be too humid.

    4 people, independently

3 more on this

  1. Position a box fan ahead of a cooler containing ice or frozen bottles to blow cooled air into the space.

    7 people, independently

  2. Dampen your arms and face slightly so evaporation removes surplus body heat.

    Evaporation dissipates excess heat similarly to how sweat works.

    3 people, independently

  3. Store a spray bottle with chilled water in the fridge so you can mist yourself.

    3 people, independently

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