Six Green Ways to Keep Cool - Faithful to Nature Blog

02 Oct Six Green Ways to Keep Cool in Summer

Posted at 12:20h in Lifestyle & Wellness by Robyn Smith 1 Comment

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It’s here at last; the sizzling, sultry sun-kissed South African summer. As the weather heats up, it’s tempting to turn on the fans or aircon full-blast – but as we all know, that won’t do the environment (or your wallet) any favours. Luckily, there are plenty of smart ways to keep your cool in the summer heat without the need for expensive electrical appliances. Here are six eco-friendly and healthy ways you can chill out!

Water-Wise Winners

We all know we should drink plenty of water in summer to stay hydrated – but that doesn’t mean stocking up of single-serve plastic bottles every time you hit the store. Invest in a reusable water bottle made from stainless steel or BPA-free plastic – it will last for years and won’t leach any nasty toxins. If you’re concerned about the chemical content of your tap water, choose a super-smart drinking bottle with its own built-in filter and sip to your heart’s content.

Smart Snacks

Eating a big meal (particularly one high in protein) causes your metabolism to kick into high gear – heating your whole body up. You’ll feel cooler, and healthier, if you eat like a “grazer”, breaking up your eating into several smaller meals a day. Keep a stash of nutritious sugar-free snacks on hand to prevent your metabolism from dipping and spiking.

Summer Squeezes

Fruit juice is a summer favourite, but those “fresh” products you’re buying off supermarket shelves are typically packed with sugar, which will send your temperature soaring. This year, invest in a juicer and make your own freshly squeezed fruit and veggie juices – much healthier and so great for keeping you cool. You can read more about the benefits of juicing here.

Amazing Aloe

Keep your skin cool and hydrated with your favourite all-natural aloe vera lotion; it’s especially soothing after a day in the sunshine, and a must-have for your summer beach bag. You can even freeze aloe vera in your ice tray for a supply of cooling, moisturising ice cubes.

Sweet Dreams, No Sweat

Struggling to sleep in the heat? Here’s a handy way to hack those summer nights. Reach for your favourite winter buddy, the hot water bottle, and fill it up with icy water from the fridge. Use it to cool your feet, ankles and the back of your knees – this is super-effective for cooling down the whole body, and so much greener than leaving the fan on all night.

Spice it Up

At first glance this tip seems to defy common sense – but part of your smart summer snacking should include your favourite spicy foods. They cause you to sweat without raising your body temperature, which means they actually help to cool you down. If red-hot chilli peppers aren’t your thing, never fear; try homemade iced chai or fresh ginger tea for a truly tasty cooling remedy.