Germany is experiencing intense heat this summer, prompting Cologne to start a ‘Cooling Cologne’ initiative. Chilled groundwater is dispersed through mist sprays connected to fire hoses. In this climate, many people have shared their creative methods to stay cool without relying on air conditioning.
Cooling with Water
Bridgit Jordan from Minneapolis beats the heat by swimming in the afternoon, staying in her wet swimsuit, and using a fan to remain cool. Olivier El Mekki from Dijon, France, uses his bathtub as a plunge pool, bathing for short periods to regulate his temperature. Inspired by cows seeking shade and water, he finds this method effective.
Amber Thompson from Syria recalls taking cool showers during the night to combat extreme heat. Elizabeth Tillinghast from Vermont learned from her mother that holding wrists under cold water quickly cools the body.
Playing With Water
Ezra Musselman from Minnesota shares childhood memories of cold well water used in squirt bottles during hot days without plumbing. Dayton Bradford fondly remembers swimming holes near his Tennessee home. Barbara Wunder McAslan from Florida suggests using an inflatable kiddie pool as a cooling method while mowing lawns.
Fans and Air Flow
Diane Hinkle from Tennessee highlights using box fans to pull in cool night air, preserving it by closing windows during the day. Chaudhry Awais Ahmed from Pakistan uses a damp towel with a pedestal fan to create an evaporative cooler effect.
Cool Fashion Tricks
Mary Richardson from Los Angeles wears headbands with ice cubes for cooling and migraine relief. Amy Barlow Liberatore from Wisconsin uses gel scarves filled with beads to stay cool throughout the day. May Bolden’s husband utilizes ice vests with replaceable packs for his landscaping work.
Kimberly Wasylina from Texas cools her face and neck with a wet washcloth rolled with ice cubes. Pat Manly from Arizona advises dunking shirts in water to stay cool during extreme heat.
Don’t Forget Your Furry Friends
Joan Sheehan from Sacramento uses cold packs to ensure her pets stay comfortable.
Shade, Structures, and the Outdoors
Jim Gillen from Portland recommends minimizing concrete surfaces, opting for trees and garden beds instead. He suggests sleeping outdoors as a fun heat escape.
Gina L. Freeman benefits from awnings that keep her home cooler. Amber Thompson from Syria shares structural cooling methods, including removing carpets and sleeping on tiles.
Ezra Musselman fondly recalls nights sleeping on the porch and in tents, relishing memories of the moonlit sky and the sounds of wildlife.
Leave a Reply