4 Ways To Survive Summer Humidity
Summer humidity can get brutal and make the already scorching temperatures unbearable. Humidity can be particularly bad if you live near the water or plan on vacationing by the beach. Humidity can be disastrous if you aren’t prepared for it. Here are some ways to beat the humidity.
1. Stay inside
Image via Flickr by Faylyne
You should avoid going outside during the hottest time of the day. You are most likely to be sunburned and are at the highest risk of overheating between noon and 3 p.m. Both of these are uncomfortable, at best. They can be dangerous for children, the elderly, and people on certain medications. You should save your outdoor time for mornings and evenings. Early afternoon is a great time to have a long lunch, watch a matinee movie showing, play board games, or wander an indoor mall.
2. Protect yourself
You should protect yourself from the heat and humidity throughout the day. Use a sunscreen that is at least 30 SPF and wear a hat to protect yourself from sunburns. Wearing breathable fabric, like lightweight cotton or linen, soaks up sweat while keeping the sun and bugs off your skin. You also need to drink lots of water when it’s humid because you are more likely to become dehydrated as you sweat. Another way to protect against dehydration and heat sickness is to have electrolytes. Pickle juice or a sports drink can make a big difference.
3. Have a healthy home
Lower indoor humidity helps you breathe more easily, especially if you have allergies or asthma. Lower humidity also prevents the growth of mold, mildew, and fungus. You can lower the humidity by checking the weather stripping around your doors and windows to keep the humidity outside and cold air in. You should schedule to have an HVAC professional perform maintenance in the spring. This will make sure your HVAC system is working efficiently and has enough refrigerant to cool your home properly. You can also buy a dehumidifier. They come in several sizes and price points, so you can find the perfect one for your space and budget. They can be noisy so be sure to look for quiet dehumidifier when shopping for the best option for your home.
4. Dry your laundry at night
Humidity also affects your energy costs. You can save money on your energy bills and time by line drying your laundry at night. The high humidity during the day will cause your clothes to take longer to dry, and you will have a higher chance of mold growing. You can hang them indoors on a line or a drying rack and run a dehumidifier to help your clothes dry more quickly. If you decide to use a machine dryer, avoid running it during the hottest parts of the day. It will cost more to run it in the mid-afternoon because your HVAC is already working harder to cool your home and it will take longer to dry your clothes as humidity builds up in the drum.
The summer’s intense humidity doesn’t have to slow you down. These simple tips will keep you cool, keep you safe and save you money, even in the most sweltering weather.
This is a collaborative post.
