5 Refreshing Ways to Keep Cool On-the-Go

Brittany Lyte — Tue, 30 May 2017 09:00:08 +0000

It's getting hotter. So how do you prevent sweat and general heat discomfort when you're commuting to work or out and about? It's easy to keep cool at home or once you've arrived at the office, but it's harder when you're on the road. Luckily, we've found some easy ways to cool off when you're on the go.

1. Remember a time when you were given the cold shoulder

Social exclusion feel may feel cold — literally. Researchers conducting a psychological experiment involving 65 students at the University of Toronto found that subjects who recalled a time when they were socially excluded estimated the room temperature was colder than subjects who were asked to recall a social incident when they felt included. People who called to mind a memory of social exclusion were also more likely to crave warm food or drink than people who thought about an inclusive experience, according to the research. So if you're feeling uncomfortably warm, it may help to conjure up a memory from a time when you felt rejected and shunned. Instant air conditioning!

2. Wear a cooling face mask

Scientists have found that the temperature of your face influences your perceived whole-body temperature and overall comfort level. In fact, cooling the face is two to five times more powerful in suppressing sweat and reducing heat discomfort when compared to cooling any other body part, according to research performed at Australia's University of Wollongong. So when you slip on a cooling face mask that's been soaked in cold water, you're essentially telling your body to turn on the AC. For those who like to kill two birds with one stone, additional benefits of wearing a cooling face mask include sun protection and a defense against dust, debris, and wind.

3. Keep a misting fan on you

When you need to feel fast relief, there's nothing quite like a personal misting device. A hand-held fan — especially if it's capable of giving you a light spritz of ice water — is a simple, inexpensive way of keeping cool when you're on the run. Another option is one of these tiny, portable fans that attach to your smartphone.

4. Don a cooling wristband, hat, or towel

Columbia has created a clothing line called Omni-Freeze Zero that's made of hyper-evaporative textiles that retain water while remaining dry to the touch. Here's how it works: When these cooling clothes and accessories become saturated with water or sweat, the absorbed moisture reacts with a specially designed polymer contained in visible rings in the fabric to create a cooling effect for the wearer. The sweatier you are, the more cooling your gear becomes. (See also: 7 Ways to Sweat Less This Summer)

5. Opt for a water bottle with double walls

A water bottle with double-walled insulation is your best bet for staying refreshed while on the fly. The popular S'well bottle brand promises your drink will stay chilled for 24 hours (or hot for 12), and there are many other brands on the market that offer that same promise. Keep your bottle filled with chilled water, and you'll be refreshed and hydrated all day long.

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This article is from Brittany Lyte of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: