5 Easy, Natural and COST EFFECTIVE Ways to Beat The Heat

Hey Natural Momma's!
I have just finished doing some research on how to beat the heat this summer! With thunder storms knocking out power (in Baltimore City) for days on end and the weather reaching crazy levels (95 degrees and hotter) its no wonder people are curious. Being a working mom of two, I have no time to concoct crazy, energy saving gadgets to cool my hot house. And blasting the air all summer long won't cut it either (Gas and Electric would be high as crap). So I've found some interesting articles online about natural and, most important, inexpensive ways to cool your domain.

They are as follows:

1. Sheild your windows! If your shades have light and sunny sun rays shinning through, and although natural light is scenic, light equals heat.
Find some opaque drapes and hang them up to block the sun and watch the temperature cool down by at least 5-10 degrees. It may be a little emo for a bit lol but it'll be a lot cooler.



2. Replenish your liquids! Water is the key to almost every ailment the human body may encounter. Drinking chilled water is a great way to cool the body from the inside out. Or if you have access to a pool or even just a bucket of water you can splash away the heat! (If you sweat profusely drink Gatorade to restore your electrolytes.)

3.Try to eat light! Eating heavy meals is a great way to make you more sluggish when it's hot. After eating a meal, the digestive system draws blood from other areas of the body so that your intestines can successfully break down what you have ingested. One of those places from which the blood is drawn is the brain which causes you to feel sleepy. We know this as the "itis" lol  Eating a summer salad or a bowl of chopped fruit will provide you with extra Vitamin C and satisfy any hunger pangs without making your body work overtime.

4. Dress in light colors! Dark colors absorb light, while lighter colors reflect it, thus releflecting the heat as well. 'Why' you ask? Well the explanation is sorta complicated and loooong but you can find it >>>here<<<. But trust me on this one! Lighter colors in the summer equals cooler temperatures.

5. Fans in the window! If you have multiple windows in one room, place one fan in each. One blowing in and the other blowing out. Or if you only have one fan place that fan in the window blowing out to create the same effect (picture on the left). This will create a flow of air through the room. Fresh air blowing in and the fan will suck out any old, stale air. Think of it as a large scale venting system. 
(the picture is from an artists website depicting ways to air out a studio after using potentially toxic chemicals but its the same idea lol)







(take no credit for information provided by websites or the images above)