staying cool until the AC is in
Still do not have the AC in, and although we have not entered the peak summer days yet, there have been a couple of distgustingly hot days that have really tested my abilities to remain cool at work.
Over the past couple of weeks i have been looking up and trying ways to remain cool until i find someone to hook-up my new Energy Star AC unit. Here are some of the low-cost and alternative things i have been trying out here.
1. good-old fresh, cold water: everyday i have been putting out a large pitcher of iced water with a variety of citrus from our CSA basket at the front door for customers to sip on while shopping. Now it is not as good as the AC, but it is a courtesy that customers really appreciate. Honesetly though, oftentimes just the water and a fan can carry you a majority of the time.
(i use a cute vintage pitcher and biodegradable cups)
2. Clothing: ever heard of the guayabera?? it is a type of shirt from South America, Asia…basically everywhere it is hot all the time. It is an open-necked, loose-fitting shirt made from linen, many of them in light colors . Even if the guayabera is not your thing, use the ideas of it and translate that to your clothing. Also choose fabrics like hemp, bamboo and linen as they allow air to pass and your skin to breath (plus they do not hold in the stink that you build from sweating all the time!)
(basic guayabera)
3. food: back on learning from those who live in the tropics, have you ever noticed one common thing among them? They all have some super spicy eats! Scientists believe that this might have something to do with spicy food making you sweat (and cooling the skin) without raising your temperature. I have been trying this at work by eating spicy mango slices from the fruit cart guy that stops by the store every afternoon.
(prepping the mango with lime juice & other tasty fruits to buy)
on the subject of eating, make sure you eat smaller portions and more fruits and veggies. Proteins and large meals make more for digestion and that means more heat produced.
4. Use your pulse point: areas where you can feel your pulse are also areas where temperature can be felt quickly. Apply a bag of ice or run cool water over these places I always suggest this practice to people especially when they are at outdoor events, but i have also been doing this at the store with my Klean Kanteen filled with a cold drink.
