Are you SO HOT this summer? You could spend more time indoors in the air conditioning — IF you want to be just like everybody else. But maybe you'd like to cut your electric bill. Or maybe you're just so darn creative, you feel compelled to stay cool in refreshingly creative ways.
Well, today is your lucky day, because we have 11 weird, wacky ideas for chilling when it's hot outside.
More from The Stir: 5 Frosty, Delicious Drinks to Help You Beat the Summer Heat (PHOTOS)
What creative ways do you know to cool off in the summer heat?
Image Victori∀/Flickr
1. Eat spicy foods
It sounds counter-intuitive, eating HOT food to COOL down, but there's some evidence that this works. When you eat spicy foods, it raises your body temperature, which can make you sweat, which in turn can help you cool off faster.
2. Eat coffee ice pops
Instead of drinking hot coffee, or even iced coffee, consume your brew completely frozen as iced coffee popsicles. Ooh la la, here's a fancy recipe for Vietnamese coffee popsicles. Do you even need a recipe? Brew some coffee, let it cool, pour into ice pop molds, and freeze. It ain't rocket science.
3. Make an ice cube necklace
Why not string a bunch of ice cubes around your neck — and why haven't I thought of this before? Here are instructions to make an actual ice cube necklace that will melt all over you through the day. For something less messy, use plastic ice cubes and nylons to make a frozen cooling necklace.
4. Make a cold water bottle
You know how you can use hot water bottles to keep warm in the winter? Well, you can do the same thing in the summer. Fill a plastic water bottle most of the way with water and freeze. Then hold against your body. Wrap in a towel or pillowcase if it burns.
5. Wear an ice vest
Yes, this is a thing. You can buy an ice-packed vest for a mere $61.12 (on sale!), which is still probably cheaper than using your AC.
6. Slip ice cubes into your French braid
Loosely braid your hair, stuff with ice cubes, and then pin the ends of the braids to secure. Enjoy the sensation of cold water melting into your hot scalp.
7. Run sprinklers under your trampoline
This is what we did as kids — we ran a hose with a sprinkler under the trampoline. But actually, as an adult, this now sounds horrifically dangerous, so don't. Also, if you're jumping, you're going to get hotter. Never mind. (Psst, we loved it!)
8. Cold bath
A cold shower is nice, but a cold bath feels even better. In fact, take a cold bath with a long, cotton nightgown on and then, when you get out, stand in front of a fan. Ahhhh ….
9. Mist yourself with tea
Make a batch of chilled minty green tea and spritz yourself with it.
10. Top off with solar-powered Western wear
The built-in fan will help you keep your cool all summer long.
11. Pick a fight with your husband just before bedtime
That way you don't have to sleep with that heavy-breathing, heat-radiating mammal for once.
