Cool tips for summer 2020 and beyond

by Chase Ogoshi | July 20, 2020

The start of summer means three things to me: staying in boxers, blasting the air conditioner 24/7 and taking several showers a day. You might wonder why I do this. Well, I have a problem with sweating. Seriously. Do you know what it’s like to wake up in the middle of the night sweating? It’s not a good feeling. It could be 50 degrees outside, and I will still sweat. So, every summer I must prepare myself for the rise in temperature — especially while living in Hawaii’s “tropical” climate.

Simple tips, from “thinking cool thoughts” to drinking a glass of ice water, are what I relied on most of my life — but then I realized these may not be the best ways to stay cool, especially if my shirt is drenched in my sweat. Since I know it will be another hot summer, I wanted to provide tips on how to stay cool indoors, especially now that most people are still at home due to COVID-19.

Tips on keeping your house cool:

• Keep your blinds closed. Having your curtains open will invite sunlight into your home.
• Cook outside, not inside. All the heat and smoke from cooking will warm up your house. The next time you are hungry, go outside and cook some Portuguese sausages on the grill.
• Plant shade. Planting trees or bushes around your house will help keep temperatures low inside. But be sure to plant the right type of trees and shrubbery in the appropriate place. Natural shade helps reduce temperatures, and you can enjoy landscaping.
• Open windows and doors for cross ventilation. This one is a no brainer. Take advantage of the trade winds in Hawaii to keep your house cool.

If you have no A/C, here are some tricks to survive those hot summer nights:

• Choose cotton — Change your bed sheets and jammies to cotton as they are breathable and will help you keep cool and sleep easier in the heat.
• If you like going for a walk or run, do it later in the day when it gets cooler or when the sun starts to go down. Personally, I just go for jogs or play basketball at nighttime.
• Turn on your fans! It will help keep you cool as the air circulates around your home.
• Take frequent, cool showers. When you do shower, try to use peppermint soap. It really works!
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol! Both can contribute to dehydration.
• If you have a spray bottle, fill it with water and keep refrigerated. When you start to feel hot, just grab it and spray yourself. I usually just end up dumping it all over my head.
• Drink water! The most effective way to lower your body temperature is to fill your body with cool fluids.

• Eat a popsicle! If you want to be healthy, freeze a bag of fruits. When I get hot, I like to eat frozen bananas or grapes to cool me down.
• Pour your favorite juice in an ice cube tray and freeze it. When it gets hot, take it out and put it in a blender and bam! You get a slushie!
• Remember that warm air rises! Try to find a cooler spot in the lower level of your home. If you sweat easily like me, try sleeping on the floor. What a difference it makes!

Chase Ogoshi is a digital communications and social media specialist at Hawaiian Electric Company.