Inexpensive Cooling Products and a Tip for Saving Money on Utility Bills
Walking like
Frankenstein? Check. Blurred vision? Check.
Fatigued to the bone? Double-check. Hello summer heat. For many, summer means gathering friends for
alfresco dinners
of grilled ribs from the grill.
For those of us
suffering from multiple
sclerosis, we feel as if we are under attack, so we
just want to nap. The one positive is
that this is temporary and will disappear once we cool down. Consequently, it's best to nip this heat
assault in the summer blooming bud.
What follows are my top four tips for surviving the summer heat, three of which are my favorite cooling products.
Cooling Neck Wraps
Amazingly, when wet,
these simple bandanas expand into cooling wraps. Just tie one
around your hot sweaty neck and experience instant cooling relief. Filled
with nifty little crystals, these tubed bandanas become cold when soaked. Once dry, which takes hours, the bandana can
be stored anywhere. No refrigeration
necessary.
These are also great
tools to instantly combat hot flashes and to cool down overly hot
children.
Cooling Hats
Also activated by cool
water, an evaporative cooling hat keeps me cool for nearly eight hours! Sewn into the hat's crown is a pocket that
contains those special expanding cooling crystals. This requires the hat to be
soaked in water for a few minutes.
However, once the material of the hat has dried, it feels dry to the
touch. Nevertheless, it feels cool on
your head. Brilliant.
Patio Misters or a Spray Bottle
Patio misters
are a great product for cooling a large area using a plastic tube segmented
with tiny misters at various intervals. Once
attached to the outside water faucet and turned on, a fine mist cools the area
quite nicely. I find this to be extremely
effective.
However, since I'm usually the only one who is suffering from the heat, a simple spray bottle works just fine. I fill it with cold water and ice and spray myself liberally as needed. Plus, I feel less guilty since CA is in an indefinite drought.
Cost Savings Bonus
All three products work
well and are relatively inexpensive,
especially if choosing the $1 spray bottle over the $30 patio mister. However, the main point is that those with
autoimmune diseases, such as MS, must endeavor to stay cool during the summer
heat.
Therefore, beyond
purchasing clever cooling items, it's best to perform outside chores early in
the day when it is cool. Rejuvenate by taking
short naps in the hottest part of the afternoon. Enjoy the patio in the evening when it's
cooler. If you have a pool, take a cool
refreshing dip.
Unfortunately, for those
of us who frequently see our thermometers soar over the century mark, our only
option is to stay inside sheltered by our air conditioners. This leads me to an additional savings
tip. Some utility companies offer medical
discounts for those who rely on their air conditioners and heaters. Check with yours
to find out if you qualify!
More by Rebecca
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for MS
Exercises Every Woman Over 50 Should Include in Her Daily
Routine
Can Diet and Exercise Help Those Suffering from Multiple
Sclerosis?
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