Tips for Staying Cool When the Temperature Rises

When the weather turns warmer, there is excitement in the air. The dormant plants begin to bud and then bloom beautifully. The prospect of leisurely summer days is right around the corner. But then the temperature spikes, and everyone is looking for some respite from the heat. When that happens, it is helpful to know a handful of things that will help you keep your cool.

Turn on the Air Conditioning

Air conditioning is a wonderful invention. And when you have it, you do not want to lose it. That is why it is important to keep your air conditioning unit in good condition. Equally important is to know who to turn to if your a/c is broken. Be sure to service it annually and contact your repair person at the first sign of any problems. Do not wait until it is miserably hot outside to take action.

Remember to Hydrate

Drinking water is essential throughout the year, but even more important when it is hot outside and you are sweaty. Make hydration easier by carrying a water bottle with you throughout the day. Find a bottle that fits well in your bag, your car’s cup holder, and in the water bottle holder on your bicycle. When you ensure the process is without barriers, you will be more likely to actually have a water bottle with you and take sips. If you do not enjoy water, there are plenty of water-rich foods that you can consume, too. Try watermelon, gazpacho, cucumbers, tomatoes, stone fruits, and the list goes on.

Eat Ice Cream

What better way to spend a hot afternoon than to eat something delicious and ice-cold? If you enjoy dessert, consider going out for ice cream on a sweltering summer day. Alternatively, you can have a sundae bar at home. Invite your friends over, create ice cream masterpieces with all of the essential fixings and add-ons, and then enjoy your time together while cooling off with a sweet treat. You can even have ice cream for dinner every now and then, if you would like to.

Pack a Portable Fan

You have probably seen people walking around with little portable fans. They are commonplace for a reason. They work. Select one that is USB rechargeable, or that uses batteries, based on which option is more convenient for you. Another fan that is becoming more popular is the one worn around your neck like old-school headphones. The fans are turned inward toward your face and give you a cool breeze wherever you go, no hand-holding required.

Go to a Movie

Sometimes, the best way to beat the heat, even if your air conditioning is working wonderfully, is to go to a movie. Find a cinema near you and do not forget to stop for some snacks on the way in. Sit in the dark theatre with your favourite people and catch up on the latest film while enjoying the cool air when it is hot outside.

Staying cool does not have to be a chore. All it takes is some TLC for your air conditioner and some creative thinking.

More Ways to Stay Cool When the Heat Really Hits

The five ideas above cover some brilliant go-to options, but a prolonged heatwave calls for a few more tricks up your sleeve. Here are some additional ways to keep the heat at bay, whether you’re at home, out with the family, or trying to get a decent night’s sleep.

• Keep your home cool using the windows strategically. It sounds counterintuitive, but on very hot days the best approach is often to keep windows closed during the hottest part of the afternoon and open them in the early morning and evening when the outside air is cooler than the air inside. Closing curtains and blinds on south-facing windows keeps direct sunlight from heating the room throughout the day, which makes a significant difference by evening.
• Cool your pulse points. Running cold water over your wrists, the insides of your elbows, the back of your neck, and your ankles cools you down quickly because blood vessels are close to the surface at these points. A damp flannel kept in the fridge works well for this, and it’s a particularly useful trick for getting kids comfortable before bed on hot nights.
• Swap your bedding for summer. Heavy duvets trap heat and make sleeping in warm weather genuinely unpleasant. A light cotton sheet, or a lower tog duvet with a breathable cover, makes a noticeable difference. Cotton and linen bedding breathes far better than polyester and stays cooler throughout the night.
• Move exercise to the cooler parts of the day. If you exercise regularly, shifting your workouts to early morning or after sunset during a heatwave reduces the risk of heat exhaustion and makes the whole thing considerably more bearable. Exercising in the hottest part of the day in high temperatures isn’t just unpleasant, it can be genuinely risky.
• Make the most of water. A paddling pool, a water fight in the garden, a trip to an outdoor lido or a beach, cold water is one of the most effective and enjoyable ways to bring your body temperature down. For families with young children, setting up a simple water play area in the garden can keep everyone entertained and cool for hours.
• Eat lighter, cooler meals. Hot, heavy meals raise your body temperature and make the heat feel worse. Summer is the perfect excuse for cold salads, gazpacho (which also ticks the hydration box from the original guide), chilled pasta dishes, and anything that doesn’t require the oven to be on for an hour. Your body will thank you for it.

Keeping Children Cool in Hot Weather

Children, especially young ones, are more vulnerable to heat than adults, partly because their bodies heat up faster and partly because they’re not always great at telling you when they’re struggling. A few extra habits are worth building in during a heatwave.

• Keep them out of direct sun during the hottest hours. The NHS advises keeping babies and young children out of direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm when UV is at its strongest and temperatures are typically at their peak. Shade, whether that’s a garden umbrella, a sun tent, or simply staying indoors, makes a real difference to how they cope.
• Offer fluids frequently, not just when they ask. Children often don’t notice thirst until they’re already mildly dehydrated, especially when they’re absorbed in playing. Offering water, diluted juice, or ice lollies made from fruit juice regularly throughout the day keeps them hydrated without making it feel like a chore.
• Cool baths before bedtime. A lukewarm (not ice cold) bath before bed helps bring a child’s core temperature down and makes settling for sleep in warm weather significantly easier. Dress them in the lightest, most breathable sleepwear you have, and if they have a fan in their room, angle it to circulate air rather than blow directly onto them.
• Watch for signs of heat exhaustion. Heavy sweating, pale and clammy skin, a fast or weak pulse, nausea, dizziness, and tiredness are the signs to watch for. If a child shows these symptoms, move them somewhere cool, offer small sips of water, and use cool damp cloths on their skin. If symptoms don’t improve within 30 minutes or worsen, seek medical attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

What temperature is considered dangerously hot for a home?

The World Health Organisation recommends that indoor temperatures for healthy adults should not exceed 32°C during the day and 24°C at night, with lower thresholds recommended for vulnerable groups including the elderly, young children, and those with health conditions. In the UK, Public Health England’s heat health alert system is triggered at different temperatures depending on the region, and guidance is issued recommending specific protective measures for those most at risk. If the temperature inside your home consistently sits above these levels during a heatwave, using fans, strategic window management, and cooling spaces in the home becomes a health priority rather than just a comfort consideration.

Do portable fans actually cool a room, or just move hot air around?

Fans don’t lower the temperature of a room; they cool you by increasing the rate at which moisture evaporates from your skin, which creates a cooling sensation. In very hot rooms, a fan blowing hot air around can actually feel counterproductive. To get more out of a fan, place a bowl of ice or a frozen water bottle in front of it so it circulates cooler air, or use it at night to draw cooler outside air through the room. A fan is most effective when the air it’s moving is cooler than your skin temperature, which is why evening and night-time use tends to be more genuinely refreshing than afternoon use during a heatwave.

How can I cool down quickly when I’m overheated?

The fastest options are immersing your wrists and forearms in cold water, applying a cold damp cloth to your neck and pulse points, drinking a cold drink slowly, and moving to the coolest available space, ideally one that’s been shaded throughout the day. A cool shower or bath helps too, though lukewarm is actually more effective than ice cold, as very cold water can cause the blood vessels to constrict, reducing the cooling effect. If you’ve been outdoors in significant heat, rest, shade, and consistent small sips of cool water are the priority over any dramatic cooling measure.

What foods and drinks make the heat feel worse?

Alcohol is one of the most significant ones: it dehydrates you and can make you feel the heat more acutely, which is worth bearing in mind at summer barbecues and outdoor events. Caffeine in large quantities has a mild dehydrating effect too. Heavy, rich, high-fat meals require more digestive effort and generate more metabolic heat, which adds to your discomfort on hot days. Very spicy food causes your body to sweat, which can actually help you cool down in theory, but in practice on a very hot day it often just makes you feel hotter in the short term. Sticking to lighter meals, plenty of water, and cold or room-temperature foods is the most sensible summer eating strategy during a heatwave.

Is it safe to sleep with a fan on all night?

Generally yes, for most people. The main considerations are keeping it clean so it doesn’t circulate dust (which can irritate airways), and angling it so it circulates air around the room rather than blowing directly onto your face all night, which some people find dries out their nose and throat. If you have asthma or allergies, a dusty fan can trigger symptoms, so regular cleaning matters. Leaving a slightly open window alongside the fan helps draw cooler night air through the room rather than just recirculating the same warm air.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.