We talk in our family about living in the desert. We don't really live where there are sand dunes, walking for miles without water... that's what I think of when I think about the desert. Where we live on the western side of Colorado, the air is dry (low humidity), and the summers are HOT... often up to 105 or 107 degrees. I have some family that lives in Phoenix and Las Vegas, and it is even hotter there! Some people move to our area and often comment about needing to use lotion and lip balm a lot. Yep, that is part of life here!
Here are some things that I have found that help me and my family...Ways to cool off your car:
1. You can take advantage of fluid dynamics to cool a car down by opening a rear window and using the opposite front door as a fan to draw hot air out. This forces hot air through the window.
2. Once the air feels noticeably cooler, press the recirculate button. Your A/C will cool the cabin air more efficiently, and your engine won’t have to work as hard.
3. Park in the shade. Obvious, yes, but it works. Even if it means walking a bit farther, parking in the shade can mean a 30- to 40-degree difference.
4. Use a sunshade. Yes, they’re awkward to fold. But they help block direct rays and protect your interior from baking.
If you need to be OUTSIDE for some time when it is very hot, here are a few things that we have found that help:
1. Take a long piece of cloth and dip it into very cold water, wring it out, and then put it around your neck. It works quickly and easily. We bought several of these "neck cooling cloths," and they work really well!
2. Put a line of peppermint oil across your neck. It feels so good when the slightest breeze hits it.
3. Use a spray bottle to spray water on your skin, and then fan yourself.
4. Bring (or use) an umbrella to shade yourself.
5. Drink LOTS of water. More than you think. It really does help! If you're hiking and you've finished half your water, turn around and go back.
6. Find the shade, take a break, and stay in it for a few minutes.
Indoor tips:
1. Use your swamp cooler. It will cool the house about 20 degrees. It doesn't help as much when it's over 100 degrees outside, but most of the time it works great! Be sure to crack several windows to let the hot air out.
2. Use a fan to circulate the air. You can create a crosswind with several fans. Set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise.
3. Close your window coverings during the day. Most of us do the opposite, but it really can help! Open your windows in the morning and evening.
4. Take a cold shower. Take a nap or be less active in the hottest part of the day.
Other tips:
1. Dress lightly. Jeans are not to be worn outside when it is really hot. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and breathable clothing.
2. Go outside earlier in the day, if you can.
3. Never leave people or pets in a hot car!
4. Eat light foods such as watermelon and frozen grapes to hydrate and cool your body.
*5. If you feel dizzy, super sweaty, or just "off", be sure to tell someone! These are common heat illness symptoms.* Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious conditions!
5. Drink LOTS of water. More than you think. It really does help! If you're hiking and you've finished half your water, turn around and go back.
6. Find the shade, take a break, and stay in it for a few minutes.
Indoor tips:
1. Use your swamp cooler. It will cool the house about 20 degrees. It doesn't help as much when it's over 100 degrees outside, but most of the time it works great! Be sure to crack several windows to let the hot air out.
2. Use a fan to circulate the air. You can create a crosswind with several fans. Set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise.
3. Close your window coverings during the day. Most of us do the opposite, but it really can help! Open your windows in the morning and evening.
4. Take a cold shower. Take a nap or be less active in the hottest part of the day.
Other tips:
1. Dress lightly. Jeans are not to be worn outside when it is really hot. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and breathable clothing.
2. Go outside earlier in the day, if you can.
3. Never leave people or pets in a hot car!
4. Eat light foods such as watermelon and frozen grapes to hydrate and cool your body.
*5. If you feel dizzy, super sweaty, or just "off", be sure to tell someone! These are common heat illness symptoms.* Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious conditions!
Do you have any tips to add? I'd love to hear about them in the comments.
They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?
Exodus 15:22
Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water.
Psalm 105:41
He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert.
Isaiah 40:3
A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
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