9 Tricks To Help You Cool Down This Summer

I absolutely hate being sweaty and hot. So, I'm willing to try out any sort of weird hack that promises to cool me down — and I can tell you from experience that certain cooling tricks work better than others... especially in the midst of this crazy nation-wide heat wave we're all struggling through.

Honestly, I'd much rather be cold than hot. You can always pile on more sweaters, socks, and blankets when you're freezing. Basically, you have endless options. The same can't be said for when you're overheating. You reach a certain point where you just can't take anything else off — particularly if you're in public.

Luckily, we don't reach ridiculously hot temperatures where I live. In Wisconsin, the summers tend to get miserably humid, but our temperatures don't soar into the 100s like they do in some of the desert states. I would just never go outside.

Even so, I'm always looking for new, innovative ways to stay cool during the sticky summer months. Whether you don't have air conditioning, are currently surviving an unbearably hot summer, or are just always intolerably hot, I figure tricks to cool you down are something that everyone can appreciate.

So, have no fear, my sweaty friends. Here are nine weird tricks that will help cool you down this summer. Or, you could just park your butt in an air conditioned bar and enjoy some icy margaritas. That works too.

1. Use ice cubes

Ice cubes are an obvious savior when you're sweating your buns off. When you're feeling way too hot, place ice cubes or ice packs on the back of your neck and on your wrists. These areas are considered your body's quick-cooling points, as they're both places where blood vessels are close to your skin's surface. By placing ice cubes or cold water on these areas, you can quickly cool off your blood and body temperature by getting those spots in close contact with something chilly.

2. Make your own air conditioning

Not having air conditioning can be a real downer. But, it shouldn't stop you from being innovative and jerry-rigging your own makeshift air conditioner. Freeze a few water bottles, and place them in front of a fan. As the ice in the water bottles melts, it will chill the air that the fan is blowing around. Pretty genius, right?

3. Place your feet in cold water

You know what a shock to your system it is when you put your feet in a cold pool after relaxing in the hot sun? You can recreate this same effect in your own living room. Your feet are another one of your body's quick-cooling spots. So relax, and soak your feet in a bowl or tub of cold water in order to cool down fast.

4. Chill your beauty products

There's nothing worse than trying to put your makeup on while you're sweating. Chill some of your beauty products — like your face toner or astringent — in the fridge or freezer for a refreshing, cool blast before applying your makeup.

5. Keep your bed cool

I'm convinced that there's nothing more challenging than trying to fall asleep when you're miserably hot. And, we all know that crawling into a warm bed when you're already feeling hot and stuffy can be a less-than-desirable experience. So, cool your bed down before calling it a night. Load your pillowcases and sheets into freezer bags, and then place them to chill in your freezer. Take them out right before heading to bed. Or, invest in a bed fan that constantly blows cool air under your sheets. It even comes with a remote, so you don't need to get up to change the settings. Fair warning — you may never want to leave your bed again.

6. Create your own cooling face mist

Cold water and the refreshing, tingly sensation of peppermint is a great way to cool down instantly. Brew some peppermint tea, and then let it chill in the refrigerator. Transfer the liquid to a spray bottle, and use it as a fresh and invigorating face and body spray. Plus, you'll smell great!

7. Run through the sprinkler

Remember when you were a kid and you'd run through the sprinkler in your backyard in order to cool down on a hot day? There's no rule stating that you can't do the very same thing as an adult. So, set up a sprinkler or a slip-n-slide, and start having some chilly fun! Not all of us can afford a pool membership, so freezing cold hose water is a great, cheap alternative.

8. Hang out downstairs

We all know that hot air rises. So, try your best to avoid any upper areas and hang out downstairs — or even in the basement. However, I know that this can be tough to do if you live in an upstairs apartment. If that's the case, head out to an air conditioned shop or restaurant to escape the heat for a bit. Even better — escape to a nice chilly ice cream shop. Air conditioning and delicious frozen treats? It's a win-win situation.

9. Take a lukewarm shower

If you feel extremely hot, you might feel inclined to take a chilly shower. Resist the temptation, and take a lukewarm shower instead. When you take a cold shower, your body will work hard to try to warm up again — causing you to feel even hotter. A lukewarm shower will help to regulate your body temperature, without the miserable after-effects.

Looking for more instant ways to beat the heat this summer? Check out these genius cooling tricks, and for more life hacks, visit Bustle on YouTube.

Images: ClickFlashPhotos, Kevin Saff, Attila Siha, Christina Xu, Chrissy Wainwright, Jen/Flickr; Giphy (5)