5 Genius TikTok Hacks To Help You Stay Cool During A Heatwave

This TikTok shows how a crate cooling mat, which is supposed to be for pets, can work just as well for humans. While the man initially bought them to use in bed, the woman in the video later had a lightbulb moment when she realised they can used in the car. Considering that this clip has already received almost 75k likes, run, don’t walk, to your nearest B&M.

According to the American Red Cross, using an electric fan when the indoor temperature is at 95 degrees Fahrenheit or higher (that’s 35 degrees Celsius for us folks across the pond) is a no-go. Apparently this may cause your body to gain heat, instead of cooling down.

Earthopia has also shared that the optimal placement for electric fans is in corners, where the air in a room is the coolest. For an extra blast of a cool breeze, place a bowl of ice cubes directly in front of it. We’re here for this air-con on a budget.

Keeping your pulse points cold can aid in making you feel cooler. Try putting ice packs or cold water on your wrist, the inside of your elbows, behind the knees, and neck. In a statement sent to Bustle UK, home management service Hoppy suggests that keeping your extremities (hands and feet) cold will help cool your blood down quickly which will then be pumped throughout the rest of your body.

There's an age-old debate on whether to keep your windows open or closed during exceptionally hot weather. The answer is both. While it’s tempting to throw open the windows and doors at all hours to tempt in a lick of breeze, that could make things worse by letting in hot air.

@djneilmack tells us to close all the windows and shut all the blinds or curtains to keep the sunlight out and not let in the warm air outside. Meanwhile, the NHS suggests shutting the windows and pulling down the blinds when it's hotter outside, then opening the windows for ventilation when it's cooler.

We all found out in primary school that the skin is the largest organ in the human body, so it only makes sense that we should take good care of it. If you get sunburnt even with the application of SPF, after-care is also going to be important. Victoria Evans, education manager at Dermalogica, tells Bustle UK that heavy creams and oil-based formulas can actually trap heat, so make sure to use gel-based after-sun products.

She also warns that while you may be tempted to use menthol-based lotions because it provides that cooling, tingling sensation, it is actually a rather stimulating ingredient, so do avoid menthol. Instead, opt for ingredients with soothing and hydrating skin benefits, such as hyaluronic acid, algae extract, cucumber, chamomile, clove, oats, lavender, and — everyone’s favourite after sun ingredient — aloe vera.

@chronicallyjenni shows us how her freezer is stuffed to the brim with cooling gadgets such as the ReLeafpack (a soft, flexible ice pack), an ice roller, and a headache halo. Hot water bottles can also be repurposed for summer by filling it just halfway and freezing. Jenni herself uses these items for relief of chronic illness symptoms, but they can most certainly also be used simply to cool down.

Obviously, a cold bevy or an ice-cream go hand-in-hand with hot weather, but water is key to fight off dehydration. Being in the sun too long can cause dehydration, with babies, children, and the elderly being more at risk. Lena Jüngst, co-founder of smell-based drinking technology air up, told Bustle UK that 45% of Brits only drink one glass of water a day — a very concerning trend, to say the least.

The NHS says symptoms of dehydration include feeling thirsty, dizzy, or light headed and having dark yellow wee. Keep a bottle of water with you and make sure you’re sipping it throughout the day. And try to avoid excessive alcohol consumption, which only dehydrates you further.

Drifting off to sleep in sticky weather can be tough, especially as home air conditioning isn't that common in the UK. In a statement sent to Bustle UK, Mahmuda Khatun, medical expert at Instant eCare, says that having a cool shower just before you go to bed can help reduce your temperature.

Elsewhere, Steve Adams, CEO of Mattress Online, tells Bustle UK that bamboo bedding is a much more breathable and moisture-wicking material than cotton, and also has the benefit of being a naturally hypoallergenic fabric. He also suggests placing your pillowcase or your PJs in a clean plastic bag and leaving it in the freezer for 15 minutes before bed — a strange but effective solution. Here is @amylouisephillips demonstrating this hack.