As much as I love the summer time, I truly hate paying for the cost of air conditioning. I mean, I would way rather spend that money on a good pair of shoes!
I am a huge fan of Yoga and firmly believe it can solve almost every issue in life. This belief was further enhanced thanks to YogaWorks instructor Peggy Hall, who shared some amazing, and inexpensive, tips to stay cool this summer without.
From easy yoga poses to dietary fixes, to the temperature of water when you shower, to new ways to utilize commone household items, these tips will definitely keep you and your wallet very happy this summer.
Read on for her top 10 tips for beating the heat without the AC!
1. Practice “sitali breath” from yoga: With your mouth slightly open, curl the sides of your tongue, like a taco shape. Breathe in through your curled tongue to cool the air. ?Then close your mouth and exhale through your nose. Repeat several times, breathing slowly. Do this anytime you want to stay cool!
2. Try “Marrow Washing”: Sit in a comfortable position with a straight spine. Extend your arms in front of you, palms face up. Then bend your elbows and draw your hands toward your face, as if you’re splashing yourself with water. Close your eyes and repeat several times, breathing slowly and deeply as you imagine you’re scooping up clear, cool water from a natural pool or water fall! (Studies show that just thinking cool thoughts can actually lower body temperature!).
3. Freeze a bottle of water and place it on a towel in front of a fan. This will cool the air without the mess of melting ice cubes.
4. Apply a dusting of corn starch on your upper thighs, under the edges of your bra and under your armpits to stay dry and comfortable.
5. Make lemon-juice ice cubes and add them to your bottle of water to keep it cool when you’re out and about. Add a few drops of liquid stevia for instant, calorie-free lemonade.
6. Be sure to use a glass or stainless steel container for your drinks. (I like to reuse quart-size juice bottles, but any glass jar will do!) Avoid plastic or Styrofoam, which leech harmful chemicals, especially in warm weather.
7. Stick to salads and fruit for lighter, cooler meals. If you need to cook, do so at night or early in the morning before the temperatures rise. Cooking on the stove top will keep things cooler than turning on the oven.
8. Freeze a bag of rice (it keeps cold for a long while) and place that under your neck when going to bed.
9. Avoid taking a cold shower because your body will increase circulation in an attempt to regulate your body temperature. Tepid water is best.
10. Place a dab of Tiger Balm on the inside of your wrists and the backs of your knees. The menthol and eucalyptus provides a cooling effect. (But first, test for skin sensitivity and be sure wash your hands after applying!)
Written by Sabrina Alexis
