If you’re sweltering in the city this summer, with no beach holiday in sight, here are a few ideas to help you stay cool when the temperatures soar.
For centuries, wealthy urbanites escaped the summer heat by spending the hottest months at seaside or mountain resorts or second homes in the country. A lucky few still manage to get away, but today, unless you’re a student or a teacher, a long summer holiday is a rarity. So if you live in the city, chances are you’ll be spending at least part of the summer there.
Here are some ideas to help you keep cool and have fun when you’re stuck in town.
Find an open-air pool. There’s nothing more refreshing than diving into cool water. You can get some exercise, beat the heat and work on your tan all at the same time.
If there’s a river or lake nearby, spend some time by the water’s edge. Even if you can’t go swimming, it’s not as hot near bodies of water because evaporative cooling lowers the temperature of the surrounding environment.
Go to a park or other green space and find some shade. Plants also provide evaporative cooling: grass blades and leaves transpire water, acting like natural air conditioners. Have a picnic, read a good book, do yoga, or just relax and watch the dogs and children…
