Stay Cool this Summer
Words by Victoria Lyee (Pen Name)
Published in Total Fitness Magazine April 2012 Issue
Love the beach but hate the tan? If you don’t want to turn your air conditioning to full blast or risk losing your bikini body for those tempting ice cream concoctions, here are some unique ways to keep yourself cool this summer.
1. Freeze your berries
Forget about calorie-laden ice cream and sugar-high slushes. For a healthier version of a midday frozen treat, eat frozen fruits like strawberry, banana, orange, and pineapple. You’ll love how they slowly melt in your mouth, giving you an instant, sweet relief from the smothering heat.
2. Refrigerate your cosmetics.
Put all your moisturizers, toners, creams, lipsticks, and foundations in in the fridge. The active ingredients in skincare products like toners and moisturizers are better absorbed by the skin when they’re cold. Of course, the bonus part is actually the best reason to keep them cold—just imagine how divine it would feel treating your peepers to a cold eye cream on hot summer nights. Plus, chilling makes lipsticks such a pleasure to apply.
3. Brush your locks with peppermint oil.
Peppermint is made up of almost 70% menthol, a type of alcohol that gives off a cooling sensation. In the Philippines, we often associate the scent of peppermint with Christmas time and cool peppermint candy canes. Try this trick: Place 3-4 drops of peppermint oil on your hairbrush after blow-drying your hair. You’ll get a whiff of that cool peppermint aroma every time you shake your head and will leave you feeling fresh and cool throughout the day.
4. Drink two glasses of water for every cup of coffee.
If you’re a devout hot coffee lover, make sure you follow every cup of Joe with two glasses of cold water to ward off dehydration. The same thing goes for every alcoholic drink consumed. Yes, even frozen margaritas.
5. Wash your hands with cold water.
Place your wrists under the faucet and allow the cold tap water to run for 10-15 seconds. The trick with effectively lower your body temperature for an hour or more. Another trick, fill a bottle spray with tap water and keep it in the fridge. Spray your pulse points with the cold water every 30 minutes or every time you need to cool off.
6. Try cold, spicy chicken.
Eating spicy food makes you sweat and, therefore, lowering your body temperature. Here’s an interesting dish to try: Toss cooked, cold pasta, two cups of cubed chicken meat, cherry tomatoes, blanched broccoli, and croutons in a glass bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste and a few dashes of hot sauce to suit your liking. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top and enjoy.
Published in Total Fitness Magazine April 2012 Issue
Love the beach but hate the tan? If you don’t want to turn your air conditioning to full blast or risk losing your bikini body for those tempting ice cream concoctions, here are some unique ways to keep yourself cool this summer.
1. Freeze your berries
Forget about calorie-laden ice cream and sugar-high slushes. For a healthier version of a midday frozen treat, eat frozen fruits like strawberry, banana, orange, and pineapple. You’ll love how they slowly melt in your mouth, giving you an instant, sweet relief from the smothering heat.
2. Refrigerate your cosmetics.
Put all your moisturizers, toners, creams, lipsticks, and foundations in in the fridge. The active ingredients in skincare products like toners and moisturizers are better absorbed by the skin when they’re cold. Of course, the bonus part is actually the best reason to keep them cold—just imagine how divine it would feel treating your peepers to a cold eye cream on hot summer nights. Plus, chilling makes lipsticks such a pleasure to apply.
3. Brush your locks with peppermint oil.
Peppermint is made up of almost 70% menthol, a type of alcohol that gives off a cooling sensation. In the Philippines, we often associate the scent of peppermint with Christmas time and cool peppermint candy canes. Try this trick: Place 3-4 drops of peppermint oil on your hairbrush after blow-drying your hair. You’ll get a whiff of that cool peppermint aroma every time you shake your head and will leave you feeling fresh and cool throughout the day.
4. Drink two glasses of water for every cup of coffee.
If you’re a devout hot coffee lover, make sure you follow every cup of Joe with two glasses of cold water to ward off dehydration. The same thing goes for every alcoholic drink consumed. Yes, even frozen margaritas.
5. Wash your hands with cold water.
Place your wrists under the faucet and allow the cold tap water to run for 10-15 seconds. The trick with effectively lower your body temperature for an hour or more. Another trick, fill a bottle spray with tap water and keep it in the fridge. Spray your pulse points with the cold water every 30 minutes or every time you need to cool off.
6. Try cold, spicy chicken.
Eating spicy food makes you sweat and, therefore, lowering your body temperature. Here’s an interesting dish to try: Toss cooked, cold pasta, two cups of cubed chicken meat, cherry tomatoes, blanched broccoli, and croutons in a glass bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste and a few dashes of hot sauce to suit your liking. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top and enjoy.
