Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight clothing if you plan to be outdoors during extreme heat this summer. Natural fibers such as cotton, linen and silk breathe to allow perspiration to evaporate, and certain synthetics such as Coolmax are designed to wick away sweat. “Loose, billowy clothes allow air movement next to the skin and help with evaporation,” Penn State professor Larry Kenney told Real Simple. You can find many lightweight and lightly used garments at the #thrift stores supplied by generous #donations to ClothingDonations.org — or #donate the ones you no longer need. Resale proceeds go directly to programs that benefit the nation’s #veterans. #BeatTheHeat #OutdoorLiving
Author: Jordank
Editorial Coordinator
Avoid Exertion During Extreme Heat Events
With #climate change making #weather extremes more unpredictable, even simple activities such as getting the mail or walking the dog can pose health risks when temperatures spike. Ingest fluids continuously during extreme heat events even if you aren’t engaging in a strenuous activity — it’s better to prevent dehydration than react to it or suffer heatstroke. “Extreme heat is one of the terrifying aspects of climate change, and it’s important that people understand how to protect themselves and others,” Columbia University professor Cecilia Sorensen told Scientific American last year. #BeatTheHeat #OutdoorLiving
Avoid the Hottest Hours During Extreme Heat
During the dog days of #summer, it’s best to schedule any #outdoor time to avoid the #hottest parts of the day. Enjoy #outdoor activities in the morning and evening, seek out #shade, and avoid engaging in strenuous activities when the temperatures get uncomfortable, says Ledge Loungers. You may have to change up your workout routine to stay cool and get some exercise, or spend more time at the #beach or #swimming pool. Drink plenty of water and other refreshments, but avoid overindulging in sugary, caffeinated or alcoholic beverages in extreme heat. #BeatTheHeat #OutdoorLiving
Seek out Shade to Beat the Heat
Before the invention of air conditioning, people had to keep c#ool using the natural methods at their disposal. Staying out of the direct sunlight is the first rule, and #shade trees are the most cost-effective way to cool your outdoor spaces, Houzz says. Trees take time to grow, of course, but you can buy trees large enough to offer shade and plant them in the fall. For a quicker fix, try adding a pergola, awnings, ceiling fans or a misting system to your outdoor space. “The cool breeze provided by a misting fan can make outdoor living very comfortable on even the hottest days.” #BeatTheHeat #OutdoorLiving
Get the Jump on Back-to-School Season
For kids and the college-bound, the lazy days of summer will soon come to an end. School starts as early as mid-August in many parts of the United States, so it’s goodbye to campouts and cookouts and swimming pools and pickup games, and back to the books.
Parents will want to take advantage of the many sales. Retailers are promoting back-to-school #deals earlier to tap the average $875 parents will spend this year to get each child outfitted in new clothes, computers and backpacks.
College students need even more to set them up for success: $1,365, according to the National Retail Federation, because they also need basic housewares such as sheets and minifridges. Whatever the student’s age, Good Housekeeping offers a guide to the things they might need.
You’ll want to get your students looking the part, from outfitting them in the latest styles (baggy jeans and leopard prints are back) to getting them a fresh haircut. (Great Clips is offering 24,000 free haircuts and a glossary of Gen Z slang to get parents up to speed.)
“It’s tough to keep up with the latest slang kids are using, but it is important because you can’t help your child succeed if you don’t really know what they want,” says former NSYNC singer Joey Fatone, who stars in a promo with his teenage daughter.
Parents who want to cut the #clutter will also want to prepare for the inevitable onslaught of student projects. Now’s a great time of year to work with your kids to #clean out #closets and make room for new #clothes, #organize a desk and #file last year’s school work.
Set aside any #clothing that still has some useful life in it and contact ClothingDonations.org to schedule a #free #donation #pickup. Other parents appreciate the deals they can find at the #thrift stores supplied by those generous #donations, and #veterans benefit from the resale proceeds.
So (attempting Z slang here) don’t do back-to-school mid — gas up your kids for the new year. If your beige flag is organization, it’s a good time for you to cook. But start right away — letting kids start school unprepared is delulu!