As temperatures soar across Jamaica, staying cool is essential for protecting our health from the extremely hot summer weather. While air conditioning is the most popular solution, many of us don’t have access to it and have to find other ways to combat the heat.

There are plenty of creative and refreshing ways to beat the heat. Here are some ideas compiled by Observer Online.

1. UNPLUG YOUR APPLIANCES
Appliances are one of the main generators of heat within a home space. Whether in use or not, an appliance which is plugged in can still generate heat, especially bigger appliances like your washing machine or stove, and even your lightbulbs. To reduce the amount of heat being generated throughout the house, it’s important that you unplug these appliances when they are not in use.

2. COOLING CURTAINS
The primary purpose of curtains is to regulate the amount of light that enters the room, and people often overlook how something so simple can impact the temperature of a space. During times of high temperatures, to ward off some of the heat, it is best to have up lighter coloured curtains that reflect light instead of absorbing it. Darker coloured curtains absorb heat and can turn your space into a living oven. A fun hack to try using on your curtains is to spray it with cool water and see the impact on the temperature of the room!

3. STAY HYDRATED
One of the most basic and important things to remember with the increase in temperatures, heightened by the influx of Saharan Dust, is to drink water. It is important to stay hydrated and it is especially important due to the possible side effects of the dust. The body needs moisture to cool itself so whether it’s cold or warm water ensure you remain hydrated.

4. STAY LOW
Heat rises. Therefore, another method of staying cool is to simply stay low. If you want a cooler night’s rest, try moving your mattress lower to the floor!

5. WEAR LIGHT CLOTHING
It is natural that with a change in temperatures people adjust the way they dress accordingly. In order to feel cooler during warm weather, carefully consider your outfit for the day and how well it will receive the heat. Wearing thinner clothes with light coloured tones are highly recommended.

6. VENTILATE
It’s common for people to jest and say that their house feels like a furnace. Well another method to make the place cooler is to open up your space whether that be a window or another form of ventilation especially at night when outside begins to cool down. This allows cool air to circulate throughout the night leading to a cooler space in the day time.

7. TRAP COOL AIR
Even though it is important to ventilate and allow air circulation, another way to alleviate the heat within your space is to close the doors of unused rooms or rooms that particularly generate more heat than others. This traps the cool air in one space while keeping the excessive hot air out.

8. ICE FAN COOLING
The immediate substitute of air conditioning is a strong functioning fan. Fans are made to circulate air within a space and are built into air conditioners so it is the closest second best option for those without access to ACs. Although the fan circulates air, that air is not always cool air. For moments like these when your fan is blowing hot air, get a bowl of ice and place in front of the fan. This way cool air is blown and circulated around the room.