Wallet-friendly Tips for Keeping Cool

Everyone loves when the forecast regularly calls for sun, sun and more sun. But not everyone loves high temperatures or for some Canadians, high humidity. I love both!

I don't dislike air conditioners - in fact I grew up happily benefitting from it as a kid who was hard to keep inside during the summer months.

But, I do know there are many tips to keep cool that won't cost big bucks and can help keep everyone smiling despite the thermostat edging up closer to the top end.

Keeping cool is a bit of a state of mind - but its also easy to keep oneself cool with a few simple tricks of trade.Personal: Hydration is key - drinking water, eating fruit with high water content (orange, watermelon, cantaloupe) will help the body regulate its temperature. Although many of us prefer not to show visible signs of perspiration, its the body's way of cooling us down. Wearing loose layers keeps a body cooler and prevents overexposure to the sun, which heats us up. And for instant relief - soak feet in cool water.

Home: Use those drapes and blinds to block the direct sunshine through the windows - this will help keep the interior home temperature lower which means air conditioning works less and saves energy. Insure air conditioner is a newer model too and consider a ceiling fan to help circulate air. And for those with basements - it's the coolest spot in the house!

Office: Most of us work in climate-controlled environments but for those who want to get even cooler, make sure lunch is seasonal - local fruit and vegetables are in abundance in the summer, and a salad is better for you and easier to digest than a heavy junk-food lunch that will increase body temperature.

Snacktime: Reconsider ice cream - go for a frozen treat that is juice-based which will quench thirst and keep you cool. And in some instances, those frozen treats packaged in plastic can act as a short-term quick ice pack for the cooler or on the wrist or the back of the neck. Keep water, lemonade, iced tea on hand - will keep one cool better than pop.

Urban dwellers: Want to leave the office but too hot outside? Head to the local shopping mall - plenty of places to sit and relax when it's break time or consider a visit to the library - where you can find distraction with a book, magazine or movie rental for free.

Swimming hole: For those who live close to a small town swimming hole, a refreshing dip will help keep you in a cool frame of mind - and for city residents, community centres and pools are welcome places to find respite from the heat.