Air conditioning is a luxury that not everyone has access to. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made it even more difficult to find relief from the heat with so many public spaces operating at a limited capacity. The good news is that are a number of ways that you can find relief from the heat if you are willing to get creative.

Keep it Dark

One of the easiest ways to reduce the temperature in your home is to make every effort to keep it dark when the sun is soaring outside. If you have windows that are directly in the line of fire of the sun during the heat of the afternoon, it is recommended to close the curtains and the blinds. This will mitigate the sun's ability to warm up the inside of the home. Even better, consider the use of blackout curtains to block this heat from entering the home.

Eating and Drinking Choices

There is no doubt that firing up your oven is one of the worst things that you can do to keep your home cool and comfortable when the dog days of summer set in. Save the comfort food for the cooler months and focus on cooking meals that do not heat up your home in the process. Grilling outside is an ideal choice that helps you to take advantage of some of the best elements of the season. You may also consider using your slow cooker to prepare meals.

You should also choose foods that will naturally deliver a cooling effect. This is the perfect excuse to indulge in an ice cream cone or popsicle. Choosing main entrees like cool salads, fresh watermelon, and other meals that will not warm you up will also help.

Lastly, be sure to be diligent about staying hydrated. Not drinking enough water when your body is losing it through sweat will only exacerbate the situation. Make it a point to drink more than you think your body needs.

Lean on Fans

Do not discount the power of a simple box fan strategically placed in a room. The best way to use these fans is to position them facing out of the windows. This will encourage hot air to blow out while circulating cooler air in its place.

If the outside temperature in your area falls below 70 degrees in the overnight hours, take advantage of this cooling down by opening the windows and running fans. You will enjoy even cooler temperatures if you are able to create a cross-flow ventilation system by opening multiple windows. Once the temperature begins to rise in the morning hours, be sure to close the windows and blinds. This will trap the cool temperatures inside for as long as possible.

It is also a good idea to run the exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathrooms after you use the oven or after showers. This will pull the hot and moist air upwards and deliver a cooling effect to the room.

Cool the Body

A cold shower is also an invaluable tool in your quest to stay comfortable when the mercury soars. The cool water will lower your core temperature for an extended period of time. Some people also find relief in using cold washrags placed on their wrists or around their necks.

Sleep More Comfortably

Getting comfortable enough to sleep is one of the biggest challenges if you do not have air conditioning in your home. Fortunately, there are ways that you can get more comfortable even if your home feels too warm for your ideal comfort levels. In general, the lower that you are to the ground, the cooler your sleeping conditions will be. For example, sleeping in the basement is cooler than trying to catch those zzz's in an upper level of your home.

Your bedding can also make a significant difference in how you beat the heat. Cotton sheets or blankets are extremely breathable, making it easier to stay comfortable when the temperature refuses to cool down in your home.

Summer will be here before you know it. If you know that keeping cool is going to be a challenge for you this year, it is a good idea to keep this list of ideas handy.