5 Ways to Cool Off from the Heat of Summer
These New Jersey summers have got me thinking about how to chill out and cool off because when I’m hot and sticky all day long, my nerves and patience tend to have a short fuse, too…can anyone else relate?
Here are 5 ways you can calm down and cool off when the heat starts to rise.
1. Peppermint
Peppermint will literally lower your internal temp — it even works on fevers!
If you have peppermint essential oil begin by massaging a couple drops onto your feet. Or place one drop in your tall cool glass of water. Or carefully (and well-diluted in lotion or oil) massage into your forehead, temples or back of the neck. Be sure not to get too close to your eyes — it burns!
If you don’t have the essential oil, go with some peppermint iced tea. Yum.
2. De-stress with a Quick Calming Technique
Here’s a quick video sharing a simple technique that brings you out of stress mode into calm, clear-thinking mode fast. Takes literally 60 seconds to do, and I use it often through my days.
3. Cooling Grains
Try shifting your diet to grains that cool off your system like quinoa (which, I know, is actually a seed!), basmati rice (instead of traditional brown rice), and barley.
4. Hydrating Foods
Here are just a few of my favorite summertime foods that keep me cool and hydrated.
- Watermelon
- Lettuce and Dark Leafy Greens
- Cucumber
- Berries
5. The Cool Towel Scrub
This is so obvious and simple. You may have heard me share about the “Hot Towel Scrub” method of ending your day, particularly in the winter months. This is the same technique but with cool water, a wash cloth and a drop of lavender (or better yet, peppermint) essential oil.
Seriously, moms. In the morning, take out a wash cloth. Wet it with cold water and wring it damp. If you have essential oils around, put a drop of lavender or geranium or peppermint. Plop it in a baggie and put it in your purse, beach bag, diaper bag or car.
When you start getting sweaty, take it out and give your face and shoulders a nice cool scrub. Heavenly.
What is your favorite way to cool off when the heat rises?
I am a night owl typically, but I just had a baby and I needed to start going to bed earlier so I incorporated a warm towel scrub into my nightly routine before bed. It has helped so much! I actually look forward to it and I feel instantly more relaxed. As the weather has gotten warmer I have just cooled down the water to luke warm and it is enough to completely cool me off and relax me for sleep. Thanks for the tips!
Hey Jenn…love hearing you already adjusted the hot towel scrub for the season 🙂 Hope you and the babe are doing well!
When I gets really hot outside I love ginger iced tea. Pour hot water (about 1 liter) over 1-2 sachets of twinings ginger lemon tea plus quite a few pieces of peeled and cut up ginger root. Keep it cool in the fridge and when you feel like a cool drink pour yourself a cup and add some ice cubes (and dilute it with more ice water if it gets too strong for you). Wonderful.
Love this- and ginger is fantastic for your metabolism and digestion too!