Best Ways to Stay Cool Naturally

For many of us, summer is the season when we’re the most active. From road trips to camping trips, activities abound. And here in Taos, after months of cold and snow, we relish every opportunity to soak up the summer sun, which, of course, leads to one thing– sweat! In our society, sweat has become a bit of a dirty word. When you think of sweat, do you immediately think of B.O., pit stains, and feeling uncomfortable? You are not alone. However, perspiration is completely normal. And we want to keep it that way. That’s why we were founded. We can live in harmony with our sweat and still do all the things we love to do, and feel fresh and confident doing it. Why is sweating important? Sweat is our body’s cooling system. Beads of liquid are secreted through glands in the skin all over the body. When our body’s temperature rises, sweating occurs in response and lowers our temperature. Sweat is mostly water, plus a small amount of electrolytes, pheromones, bacteria (which is why sweat sometimes stinks), and released toxins1. This is all to say that sweating is natural and an important part of being human. If you’re looking for ways to manage sweat and feel calm going about your day, read on. Curious to learn more about how sweat is tied to your health? Read our blog post about Anxiety Sweat. Here are our tips for keeping cool naturally when it’s hot: Stay well-hydrated This is probably the most important tip. Hydration plays an essential role in keeping your bodily systems running as they should. Drinking the right amount of water (four to six cups a day for the average healthy adult2) helps regulate your body temperature and maintain electrolyte balance– which can become imbalanced if you’re not drinking enough water or are sweating a lot. On days when you're active or in a heated environment, you should consume even more water. Go for “two to three cups of water per hour, or more if you’re sweating heavily2.” Every body is different, so talk to your doctor about how much water you should be drinking each day and during those times when you’re extra sweaty. Cover up Ok, this is counterintuitive, but hear us out. Especially when you’re out in the sun, keeping your skin covered with light-weight, loose-fitting, natural fiber fabrics (like linen) allows you to sweat as you need to so your body’s natural cooling system can do its job. What’s more, proper sun protection from clothing and hats reduces your risk of damage from the sun’s UV rays3. Sunburned skin will often feel warm, and in severe cases, can cause a fever. Avoid peak sun hours Night hike anyone? If you’re planning an outdoor activity, schedule it for early morning or after peak sun hours (typically 10am-4pm in the summer), when the sun’s rays are the most powerful3. Check your favorite weather app for the coolest hours of the day and the current UV index. Keep a sweat towel handy Whether you’re at the gym, in a group fitness class, or on the track, gently dabbing (the only cool kind of dab) your sweatiest areas provides several benefits. While you don’t want to wipe away all of your sweat (remember it’s your body’s cooling mechanism), a light dab will keep you from soaking through your clothes and help remove bacteria that causes odor. Be sure to wash your towel after daily use. Wear aluminum free deodorant Aluminum free deodorant doesn’t have pore- and sweat duct-clogging ingredients like aluminum and other antiperspirants. Ingredients like non-GMO cornstarch help absorb moisture without completely stopping the flow of sweat. In short, your body can continue doing its thing but in a manageable way. To learn more, read our blog post about Why You Should be Using an Aluminum Free Deodorant. Try a cooling mist Whether you're on the go or enjoying a lazy day by the pool, a light mist can simulate your body’s sweating effect for a cooling experience. Level up your misting game with the ultimate refreshing cooling mist. Humble Brands Director of Product Development, Sunny Moore, shares her easy-to-make recipe: Cooling Peppermint Mist Recipe Supplies 2 oz glass spray bottle Peppermint essential oil Lavender essential oil Witch Hazel Distilled water Small funnel Mist Instructions Place 4 drops each of peppermint and lavender essential oil directly into your bottle. Using a small funnel, pour water to fill bottle halfway Fill the remainder of the bottle with witch hazel, leaving a small space at the top to leave room for the spray top so you don’t overflow! Secure top and shake well to combine ingredients. Shake before using, and mist as desired. For a lovely added cooling effect, leave your mist in the refrigerator! At Humble Brands, we embrace sweat as a part of our commitment to healthy living. Switching to aluminum free deodorant can be a great first step in this journey. Wherever the summer takes you, we hope these tips help you keep your cool. 1MSU Extension Food & Health. (September 10, 2018) Is sweating good for you? Michigan State University. 2Harvard Health Publishing. (March 25, 2020.) How much water should you drink? Harvard Medical School. 3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (April 28, 2021) Sun Safety