The dog days of summer are here, which finds many of us scrambling for ways to keep cool. We’re drinking more water, avoiding the rays during peak heat times and dressing lighter. But, you may not have thought about changing your summer diet or hosting a party. The following are six pretty cool suggestions for beating the heat, as shared by Rodney Pegues, assistant director of recreation services for Georgia State University’s Perimeter College.
- Go vegetarian this summer and add water to your diet. Prepare a meal without meat. Salads, vegetables, soups (cold or warm) and smoothies are mostly water. Your body is 80 percent water.
- Sip a cool drink prepared at home. Green tea or fruit-infused water are healthy alternatives.
- Host a smoothie party. Have guests bring their favorite fruits to create a variety of smoothies.
- Lighten up! Wear clothes made of natural fibers such as cotton or linen. The fibers breathe and allow for a reduced body temperature. Also, wear lighter colors which reflect sunlight. Bonus: You may want to host a white party, where guests are asked to wear white linen or white cotton.
- Get or give yourself a pedicure, then show it off with open toe shoes or sandals. No boots allowed! It’s summer, and you are not in Texas.
- Keep it cool. Wear a wide brim hat and your most stylish sunshades.