Cooling your body in San Marcos, Texas, isn’t easy, with average summer temperatures lingering in the mid-90s. Although a bowl of ice cream is always a good idea on a hot day, you can’t rely on this cold and tasty treat throughout the entire season. Well, not unless you plan to spend autumn suffering at the gym trying to shed those extra pounds.
Here are five ways to stay cool this summer, without worrying about excessive weight gain.
Eat These Non-Fat Foods for Heat Relief
While a bowl of ice cream can add up to hundreds of fatty calories, which isn’t exactly a healthy way to stay cool every day, there are plenty of healthier options to help you beat the heat. Here are five you should try this summer.
- Yogurt
- Watermelon and other types of melon
- Cucumber
- Green vegetables
- Onions
In nutshell, eat plenty of melons and salads to stay cool this summer, which isn’t exactly a bad idea considering the health benefits both food choices offer. Add mint leaves to any food to decrease your body temperature.
Stay Hydrated by Drinking Plenty of Water
Water plays a major role in supplying your body with nutrients, removing wastes and facilitating many important biochemical reactions. It’s also essential to circulating blood throughout your body and maintaining a healthy body temperature. During the summer, adults should drink at least 2 liters of water per day, depending on your activity levels and how much time you spend outside. Here are some other tips to keep in mind when staying hydrated.
- Avoid alcohol when planning to take part in any strenuous outdoor activities or exercises.
- Eat foods high in potassium and salt, including dried fruits and mixed nuts.
- Don’t drink more than 4 liters of water per day unless it’s absolutely necessary for what you’re doing.
Use Your Ceiling Fans Properly
Many homeowners either forget to adjust their ceiling fans before the summer or they simply don’t know to do so for added cooling and comfort. During the summer, your home’s ceiling fans should rotate in a counterclockwise direction. This creates a cool downward airflow, as opposed to redistributing warm air that has naturally risen to the ceiling. Remember to also thoroughly clean your fan blades to ensure they aren’t contributing to poor indoor air quality.
Invest in Heat Resistant Window Treatments
Not only do the right window treatments prevent heat gain during the day, but they also help lower your monthly energy bills. While you can use shades and drapes on any window in your home, since they offer the most flexibility, blinds and awnings work best on windows that face the south or west. With long cooling seasons in Texas, a highly reflective window film is also a worthwhile window treatment option to consider.
Treat Your Air Conditioning System With Care
When you treat your air conditioner with care, it’ll operate efficiently to keep you cool and comfortable throughout the summer. That’s why changing your HVAC filter monthly should be mandatory during the hottest months of the year, and so should scheduling a spring tuneup. Here are three of the biggest benefits of performing system maintenance before the grueling summer season starts to make your AC work its hardest.
- Helps conserve valuable energy and lower your summer cooling bills
- Reduces the risk of an unexpected breakdown during a hot day
- Allows you to avoid the longer wait times of the busy season
For more information about staying cool during the hot summers in San Marcos, Texas, or if you’re interested in scheduling a spring tuneup on your HVAC system, read on to learn about how to reduce heat gain throughout your home or contact us at 512-842-5066 . Our comfort consultants are standing by to take your call.
