June 7, 2010

How to Stay Fresh and Hydrated in the Summer Heat

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Crystal Light.

I have always been a summer girl. I grew up in the perfect weather of Southern California and was a resident "sun worshiper". We didn't have air conditioning in our house back then, but a few fans in the house could keep us cool. It was definitely hot, but there was the cool ocean breeze to cool you off.

When I got married, 10 years ago, I moved to Pennsylvania and learned what a sticky and uncomfortable summer was all about. Now I dread summer!

The summers here are all about thick humidity, afternoon thunder storms and never feeling cool, unless you are indoors with the AC cranked up full blast. I've noticed that the only time I talk to my neighbors is in the spring and fall. The winter is so dang cold and the summer just makes you feel sticky and gross. All you want to do is hide inside!

So how can you stay fresh and hydrated in the summer, especially when it is hot and humid? Here are some tips:

*If you are wanting to work in your garden or exercise, try to do that in the early morning or evening when the temps start to go down.

*Eat lots of ice cream and Italian ice.

*Watch Ice age with the kids and pretend you are snowed in.

*Drink lots of water. If you get bored of plain old water, add some Crystal Light. There are so many flavors, pick out a few or try them all!


*If you are working outside in the heat of the day, twist and pin a wet, thin towel around your neck filled with plenty of crushed ice. The ice melts and the cool water runs down your back wetting your shirt providing even more cooling.

*Eat watermelon. It is 90% water!

*Keep a spray bottle handy. A squirt in the face will feel so good! Hey...how about a squirt gun fight for the kids!

*Clean out your freezer. Enjoy the cold.

*Keep water in your car....just in case you break down. You never know!

*Smile.

*Wear white.

*Learn how to ice skate.

*Keep a pitcher of water or Crystal Light in the fridge and drink from it all day. Make sure you drink at least 64 oz every day to stay hydrated.

*Swim

*Stock up on plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Try your local farmer's market.

*Make ice pops in the ice cube trays. Try making Crystal Light pops for a cool treat.

*Go to the movie theater and see a good summer action flick! I always have to take a jacket in there even in the middle of the summer! Burrrr!

*Wear less makeup but make sure to wear sunscreen.

*Drink water at each meal.

*Try not to think about global warming. ;)



Do you have tip for staying fresh and hydrated in the heat of the summer? Leave a comment with your tip and you will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card.

And guess what? You have 6 other chances to win a $100 Visa gift card and a $1,000 sweepstakes on the BlogHer roundup page.

For the official rules, click here.

35 comments:

jamirodana said...

If it is a yucky hot day, we just head over to the pool for a couple of hours. It is so refreshing! My kids love it, I love it!
I also have a large umbrella I keep in my car so if we decide to go to a park or if we have a soccer game, it is nice to have the option of keeping cool under the umbrella and avoid heat stroke!
Crystal Light is the best! I drink it wayyyy too much!

Reeni said...

I love crystal light! It's such a thirst quencher. My tip is to wear your hair up and off your neck especially if it's long.

Mami2jcn said...

I like Crystal Light iced tea to stay hydrated. I also enjoy Aquafina FlavorSplash Strawberry Kiwi.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Lynn said...

It's been so long since we've had summers like you describe here. I can hardly wait. Then again....I KNOW that as soon as it is THAT hot, I will wish it wasn't. Funny creatures we are. LOL!

crapo@shaw.ca

Linda Stewart said...

We increase our water intake in the heat of summer and also spend a lot of time at the rec pool or the lake.

Katie said...

No suggestions other than drink lots of water and try to stay in the shade! Crystal Light is a wonderful addition to a boring glass of water...their peach tea is the favorite in my house!

Brooke said...

With lots of water and fresh fruit. And icecream. I need icecream.
shutterboo at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

My tips are to carry a re-fillable water bottle (glass or aluminum, not palstic - they retain temperature better and their eco-friendly) with me at all times, fill it with water throughout the day. Yes, you can even fill it with Crystal Light! ;) I also stay away from salty foods in the summer as they cna dehydrate you and make you retain water, yuck. Thanks for the chance to win!! :)

shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com

Linda said...

Put out the sprinkler and run through it with kids. Then have some ice pops made with Fruit Punch Crystal Light Yum!

Deb Anderson said...

Crystal Light Peach Tea! Love love LOVE it! I usually drink plenty of water anyway, but when I need a thirst quencher AND something cool and delicious, I reach for Crystal Light Peach Tea.

sweepstakesjeanie@yahoo.com said...

My tip is to drink plenty of water. In fact carry a water bottle and aviod extremely hot weather.

Jeanette Huston
chewysmum79@yahoo.com

tiarastantrums said...

I'm with you - wear white - I never wear black in the summer! I die if I do!!(well, not really as in dead, but you know)

Anne said...

My tip is to stay inside during the heat of the day, and of course drink lots of liquids.

ajolly1456 at gmail dot com

Carolyn G said...

Be smart. If it is too hot outside, stay in. If it is too sunny wear light clothes and drink plenty of water and crystal light. Always listen to your body and be careful

redfuzzycow said...

wearing white and as little as possible usually helps me to stay cool

Anonymous said...

I try to keep plenty of water in the frig in reusable bottles so the kids will always have something handy while they're playing outside.

Sue Sweeps said...

Beyond basic water, don't forget fruits that can help too! I made frozen watermelon slushies for the kids last night (and the "grownup" slushes had a little vodka in them :-)

jerseygirl137 said...

I always drink lots of water and a quick fix is to put cold water on my wrists.

jerseygirl137(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I drink tons of water and if I'm outside I have a spray bottle with water in it to spritz myself periodically - works wonders

Anonymous said...

I will stay hydrated by keeping a filled water bottle with me at all times. Thanks for this giveaway.

Kristi Price said...

I live in Florida and the thermometer said 103 today! One way we keep cool is going to the beach and we like to put our chairs right at the water's edge to keep from getting overheated.

Btw, I am drinking a Crystal Light right now, the sunshine flavor and it really is delicious! Better than I even expected when we bought it. I have a shaker cup with a lid and I like to fill it with ice, the drink mix and water and shake it up until it is real cold. I love the fact that it has only 5 calories too. TY to you and Crystal Light for the giveaway!

KentuckyCooking said...

Frozen grapes! You can pop them in your mouth and suck on them for a bit before eating. Not only are they nice and cold, they're refreshing as you eat them from all the yummy fruit juicy-ness of them, and they're healthy! It's a three-peat!

Unknown said...

I keep about 5 reusable water bottles in our refrigerator filled with a mix of 1/2 Crystal Light Iced Tea and 1/2 Crystal Light Lemonade so everyone can grab and go. We're not big plain water fans in our house. I also make my own Crystal Light ice cubes to add to our glasses of Crystal Light from our pitcher in the refrigerator..this way it doesn't water down the flavor.

shel704 at aol dot com

Unknown said...

My best tip to stay hydrated is to drink a tall glass of Crysal Light before each meal and through out the day.This also helpes me eat less!
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com

Julie said...

I keep several of my water bottles filled up with water in the fridge so nice/cold when I grab one-out the door I go.

We also swim at my mil's pool

aunteegem@yahoo.com

redraven said...

I live at seven thousand feet and this is the hottest summer Flagstaff has seen for at least five years. I have type two diabetes, and have congestive heart failure, so Crystal Light addresses both of these obstacles and makes a happier me in this hot, hot, hot weather.
We have no air conditioner up here, but with all of your suggestions and my working at keeping us cooler here I will make it through our two months of this unexpected heat wave...Thanks, and all stay cool, and drink your Crystal Light.

Ak said...

To stay cool, I try to get as close to the water as I can get. Whether it's at the pool or at a lake. Great giveaway!

Christine said...

I second the frozen grapes. I also keep waters in my freezer for my walks(I try to do 3 miles at least 5 times a week). In 90 degree heat the water gets melty fast and the fact that it starts off as a big ol bottle of ice keeps it and me cool.

Christine
dazed1821@aol.com

SusanD said...

CL's Raspberry Ice is my favorite. I'm def trying the frozen grapes. Thanks for sharing. Blessings, SusanD

JoeyfromSC said...

This heat and humidity in SC is awful!! lol

I always freeze my bottled waters the night before if I'm gonna be out & about..It saves me from having to buy the more expensive individual ones & also, as the ice melts, I have COLD water all day long!!

That's pretty much all I drink in year-round is water..I mean I do have milk & juice, but 99% of the time, good 'ole H20 lol

Thank you for the chance to win!


ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

We keep ice filled reusable water bottles and flavor packets on hand at all time! scg00387 at yahoo dot com

VickieB said...

I use a ot more ice in my drinks in the summer to cool down.

I also like frozen fruit, cherries and grapes are great for a cooling snack

Anonymous said...

I get rest & refreshed by walking around the block w/ my dear husband, drinking some cool water and then relaxing in the hammock….good exercise, too! :-)

~eunice b
rsmile2u @dejazzd .com

kalea_kane said...

We keep refreshed and cool all summer by keeping a pitcher of water with lemon slices in the fridge at all times. We get a little hint of flavor, a little vitamin C, and plenty of water. Living in Arizona, I fill that pitcher at least three times a day. Each family member also has reusable BPA free bottles that we take with us everywhere we go. I also keep Crystal Light packets in my purse for those times we are away from the house and want something tasty and hydrating without the calories and high fructose corn syrup.

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

Thanks!

icefairy said...

My tip is to take a water bottle with you wherever you go. A bottle with measurement is better because you can keep track of your daily water intake.