Monday 1 August 2016

How to Beat the DC Heat

We know, DC: this summer is a scorcher. To help you out, we've made a list of the best tips and tricks to keep cool when you feel like melting in the city.

  1. Spritz - Use a small spray bottle to cool yourself down. Just a spray or two every so often will do the trick (and make you the hero of your crew on a hot summer day).

  2. Reverse your fan - Instead of letting your fan face inwards, turn it around and face it outwards so that the hot air inside the house can be pushed out and cool air can come in!

  3. Lose your shoes - Don't be afraid to take your shoes off! The skin and blood in your feet will cool as the sweat evaporates. The cooler blood then flows through your body, giving you "a greater sensation of coolness," says Donald R. Bohay, M.D., a member of the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society.

  4. Drink more - Water, that is. As you sweat, you're losing moisture that can best be replenished by drinking water. Replacing those fluids is essential to keeping cool.

  5. Eat light - Watch out for foods that will slow you down. Try to avoid fatty meals like hamburgers that will give you a sluggish feeling in the heat. Instead, stick to fruits, salads, and other “watery” foods.

  6. Change the lights - Changing your lightbulbs might be the trick to saving you from the heat. Long-lasting compact fluorescent bulbs produce about 70% less heat than standard incandescents.

  7. Reach for rice - How does rice keep you cool? Due to its starchy properties, it retains cold well for extended periods of time. Just fill a cotton sock with rice, freeze it for two hours before bed & stick it between the sheets. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.

  8. Apply aloe vera - Aloe Vera is known as a natural means to soothe sunburn. Its cooling properties also work to help you beat the heat.

  9. Make it spicy - But wouldn't spicy foods make you more hot? Actually, eating spicy food will help you feel cooler as your sweat dries. There's an active component in hot peppers called capsaicin which encourages your body to sweat more without raising your body temperature.

  10. Grab a Lyft ride - If none of the above tips did the trick, hop in an air-conditioned Lyft ride and enjoy a few minutes of relief from the summer sun.

Want exclusive access to Lyft discounts? Follow @Lyft_DC to be the first to know about deals only available in DC.

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