How to Beat the Summertime Heat
It’s That Time of Year
In many locations, it seems like summers just keep getting hotter. That means we need to get smarter when it comes to beating the heat. While most folks wear lighter-weight clothing during the summer months, it’s also worth checking out the new smart fabrics.
For example, look for clothes designed to absorb perspiration and convert it to help regulate body temperature.1
These fabrics may not yet exist for bedding, but in the meantime, consider cotton or linen sheets that wick away sweat to keep you cooler at night. Experts recommend between 200 and 400 thread count for maximum breathability; if you go higher the fabric can trap heat and moisture. If you still run warm during the night, consider storing sheets in a resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator until bedtime. The cool temperature may not last all night, but perhaps long enough to help you fall asleep. Alternatively, tuck frozen ice packs between the bedsheets at night.2
If you’ve been outside in the heat and need to cool off quickly, apply a covered ice pack or chilled towel to pulse points on your body — such as wrists, ankles, crook of the elbows and the back of the knees — for 20 minutes at a time. If you feel faint, drink water as soon as possible, lie down and raise your legs higher than your head. When drinking fluids, be aware that cold water takes longer for your body to hydrate; room temperature is better because it is absorbed more quickly.3
1 James Urquhart. Chemistry World. Feb. 8, 2019. “Smart textile uses sweat as switch to keep wearer cool or warm.”
https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/smart-textile-uses-sweat-as-switch-to-keep-wearer-cool-or-warm/3010099.article. Accessed April 6, 2020.
2 WebMD. Oct. 24, 2018. “How to Cool Down When You’re Always Hot.” https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-cool-down-when-hot. Accessed April 3, 2020.
3 Ibid.
