Five Ways To Beat The Heat and Enjoy Summer

By Abbie Overdorf 

Summer is full of endless opportunities—until it is blazing hot and the humidity is so unbearable it feels like a blanket is smothering you. Some people like the heat, longing to feel the warmth of the sun in the winter, and are happiest when summer rolls around. Others, myself included, are not the biggest fans of the heat. Having to feel sweaty all day is not pleasant for me, just as it is not for others. Summer can be dreadful for those who despise the hot weather, so here are some ways you can enjoy summer while also combatting the heat. 

1. Take A Dip  

If you’re up for it, and it’s not too far of a drive, a beach day is the perfect way to spend a scorching hot day. The feeling of sand between your toes and the salty watery air against your skin is rewarding enough for one to handle the heat for the day. Or, instead of a beach day, head to your nearest pool to cool down. A pool day can be much easier and more efficient when all you want to do is get into a body of water to chill out. A pool day can also act as a time to hang out with your friends. Grab a towel, some sunblock, and put on your cutest bathing suit to relax by the pool with some friends. If a pool isn’t an option, a lake or river day is always great! This body of water opens you up to many options. By going to a lake or river, you can do many activities, like tubing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Either option will have you outside and feeling relaxed from the heat. 

2. Cool Down With A Sweet Treat 

Whether it’s ice cream, Italian ice, or frozen yogurt, a cold, sweet treat of any kind is the perfect way to conquer the heat. Run to your local ice cream shop and order whatever flavor you desire. One of my favorite local ice cream shops is right down the road from me and makes the best homemade ice cream. This ice cream shop is located on a farm and has cows in the barn that you’re able to see. The shop also carries their own milk products and other treats you can take home. Going out for a sweet treat can give you the opportunity to support your own local small business. Not only are you having a delicious treat, but you’re also cooling your body temperature down. 

3. Embark On A Readathon 

Love to read? A book club is the way to go! Grab some friends and sit in an air-conditioned place while you talk on and on about the newest books. Some topics you can discuss are your favorite moments, quotes, and plot twists in the book. Each person can go around and give the book their rating from 1-10 and discuss why they gave that book that rating. For some fun, everyone can come to the book club dressed up as their favorite book character. You can even do a book exchange with someone else in the group. This club could be monthly or weekly, depending on how fast you read. A meeting place is negotiable, but someone’s house or a coffee shop is the perfect place for it to be held. A book club is a great way to bring people together and talk about all things books for hours on end. For people who want to expand their social circle, a book club is a great idea, especially if you want more friends to talk about books with. 

4. Take A Hike

For all the outdoorsy people who dread the sun, this one's for you. A nice hike on a trail that is well-covered by trees will take away the sun and only leave you with mild warmth. Hiking in the mountains or by a lake is perfect for someone who loves nature, but despises the hot weather. A hike might not be the most ideal activity to do in the summer, but for people who like to be outdoors, the coverage from the trees can make it bearable. Drinking lots of water and wearing lightweight and loose clothing while on a hike is a great way to stay cool. Starting early in the day can help with the heat as well. If the smothering heat is still too much, I would suggest taking a walk around your local mall. This will cool you down as well as give you the opportunity to get your steps in. 

5. Look Up At The Stars 

As a lover of the moon and stars, a favorite activity of mine is to stargaze. Being able to lay on a blanket in the grass and stare up at the stars is a peaceful way to end a day. The heat has usually subsided a bit, making it tolerable to be outside and enjoy the night sky. A great app to use for stargazing is SkyView Lite. With this app, you can find different stars and constellations in the sky. Using an app is a great way to learn more about the night sky. Stargazing can also be a great date night for some. The best nights to watch the stars are before, during, or after a new moon. During these times, the moonlight is not as bright, giving you the chance to see the stars clearly. As for the best place, make sure you’re somewhere with very little light pollution. Some might think it’s boring to stare up at the sky, but others can feel connected to the stars and moon, making them feel relaxed after a hot and stressful day.

There are so many wonderful activities to do during the summer. For some people, the heat isn’t a big deal, but for others it can make them feel uncomfortable and unhappy. The heat can be atrocious, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do something fun. Sometimes you have to make the most of it, even if the weather is brutal. Whether the heat is for you or not, enjoying the summer is something everyone should be able to do.