Summer is in full swing, and you and your family are definitely feeling the heat. How do you keep your cool without your home’s electricity bill going through the roof? Here are a few tips to try out
Bring your water with you at all times, and drink up!
Suffering from heat stroke is no fun. It affects all ages, and can strike at any time. Rather than racking up the pesos by buying bottles of mineral water at every convenience store you stop by, tote around a water bottle with you.
Choose a water bottle that will keep your water cool for a long period of time, one that’s BPA-free, and as large as you can possibly carry. Stay hydrated, especially when you’re stuck in your daily commute in the jeepney or MRT, or under the sun for a long period of time.
Wear light clothing.
Being in business attire isn’t exactly light or breathable, especially if you have a penchant for wearing dark hues. Black absorbs light, which means it absorbs heat more. The opposite is said for articles of white clothing. It’s not just lighter to look at, but it’s the absence of light, that makes it the least light-absorbent out of all the colors.
Choose light-colored pieces, especially those made out of 100% cotton or linen. Clothes made out of denim and other heavy fabrics should be avoided. Think of dressing as a matter of layers, so that it’s easier for you to build up from an outfit that’s commute-friendly (like lightweight pants and a thin polo shirt), to one that you can wear in a corporate setting (just add a blazer or jacket!)
Check the weather before stepping out of the house.
Kuya Kim says that “Ang buhay ay weather-weather lang”, but nowadays, there are a ton of apps to make sure you don’t get victimized by the unpredictability of the weather. A summer day in the Philippines is pretty predictable actually—just hot, or very hot.
Know when the heat will be at its highest by checking the weather before you step out of the house. It’s usually around 3 in the afternoon, so avoid being outdoors at that time.
Stay away from heavy or sugary food and hot drinks.
There’s a reason why tropical countries like ours is abundant with fresh fruits and samalamig stands at every corner. Consuming heavy food (think steaks and red meats), sugary food (sticky cinnamon buns, slices of chocolate cake) and hot drinks (thick creamy lattes or hot chocolates) warm the body up.
Do the opposite and choose to chow down on fresh fruits, cold, non-dairy drinks, and fresh food like fish and other seafood—lighter fare will make you feel lighter and cooler, from the inside out.
Rethink your window treatments.
Air-conditioners work double time in a bright and sunny room, and bringing in the light makes the room take longer to cool up. Get heavy, dark curtains or window treatments that will shut out as much outside light as possible—like those in hotel rooms that are so opaque, you can’t tell what time of day it is when you close them.
Keeping the heat out of the room will make it easier for your AC to get to its target temperature and keep your home cold.
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