With temperatures rising and student credit scores falling, it’s time to get creative in the way we cool ourselves
Illustration by Sie Douglas-Fish.
This year we are going into another extremely hot summer, and while we’re not expecting the kind of heat dome that impacted B.C. in 2021, we still need to stay mindful of the climbing heat this season.
For the average adult earning a comfortable income, warm weather simply requires turning on the air conditioner and shrugging one’s shoulders at the inflated energy bill over the coming months. But for students on a tight budget, that solution just isn’t feasible.
So, to make sure we don’t all go broke trying to stay cool this summer, here are a few tips that will hopefully save you from the heat and leave a few extra dollars in your wallet.
Wear lighter and looser clothes
A good way to beat the heat when facing the outdoors is to wear loose clothing. Put away those skinny jeans and Lululemon leggings and embrace your large and shapeless clothing era. Wearing shapeless clothing lets your body breathe and allows air to pass along the skin, evaporating sweat and carrying away extra heat.
Another clothing change that can help beat the heat is wearing clothes that are lighter in colour. As black absorbs heat, changing your outfit routine from dark to light colours will help your clothing reflect heat and prevent you from sweltering away inside them (more than you already are).
Misting Bottle
Sometimes the best way to keep yourself cool is to treat yourself like a tree. Keeping a spray bottle of cold water to mist yourself when things get too hot to handle is a great way to do that. The steps are simple: pick up an empty bottle from the dollar store if you don’t already have one, fill it with water, and then chill it in the fridge until you feel the need to mist yourself like a happy little plant. Don’t want to spend money on a spray bottle? Recycle an old one (thoroughly cleaned!) from cleaning products or other squirt-ready containers.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Telling someone to hydrate is like telling someone the sky is blue; it’s not groundbreaking stuff. At this point, most people drink water as the first attempt to cure any mysterious ailment. Be it a headache or a lousy mood, the first line of defence is often water.
However, it may be surprising to hear that drinking warm water can help cool the body. According to a study from the University of Ottawa, drinking a warm drink in the heat raises your internal temperature and allows you to produce more sweat. When this is in an environment where the sweat can evaporate, like when you’re wearing loose clothing (wink wink), it will help cool your body down. So, just because the sun is out, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you should store away that kettle just yet.
DIY Air Conditioner
If you are looking for a way to have an air conditioner this summer without actually buying one here’s an idea. A great way to get the same effect without the added cost is to place a bowl of ice in front of your fan. The fan will propel the air that is cooled by the ice around the room, creating a refreshing breeze as opposed to the uncomfortably warm air that a fan blows around a hot room. Give it a try before you turn on or (god forbid) buy an air conditioner.
To all the broke students out there, hopefully these tips provide or inspire some creative ways to stay cool in the heat this summer, and keep your cash the way it’s meant to be — cold, hard and in your pocket.
