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.
If you only read a few
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.
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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.
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- Soak a hand towel in cold water or refrigerate it, then place it on your head.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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Mist yourself with a spray bottle of cold water, or dampen sheets and socks, to prolong cooling via evaporation.
Evaporation will cool.
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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.
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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.
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Position a box fan ahead of a cooler containing ice or frozen bottles to blow cooled air into the space.
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Dampen your arms and face slightly so evaporation removes surplus body heat.
Evaporation dissipates excess heat similarly to how sweat works.
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Store a spray bottle with chilled water in the fridge so you can mist yourself.
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