Saskatchewan summers can get hot—even verging on unbearable. If you want to conserve your power this year and plan on going without air conditioning, give these alternative cooling solutions a try! Best part: you can save money while you’re at it.

1. Cool in the sheets

   Falling asleep when it’s 40°C? Nearly impossible. Why not try throwing your sheets, pillowcases, and pajamas in the freezer for a couple hours before bed? Nothing beats cool, fresh sheets on a hot night. They’ll keep you at the perfect temperature just long enough for you to fall asleep.

   Organic cotton pillowcases also tend to be cooler and more absorbent than their counterparts, keeping your entire body cool. You can also fill up a hot water bottle with cold water and use it under your legs to keep your ankles and the backs of your knees cool.
   
   
   

2. Eat spicy, drink hot

   It might sound crazy, but it works! Eating spicy foods naturally raises your body temperature, causing you to sweat. This is due to ‘capsaicin’, a chemical found in spicy foods like hot peppers. Your sweat dampens your skin and you feel cooled by its evaporation. Drinking hot drinks, on the other hand, lowers your body temperature, causing you to actually feel cooler.
   
   
   

3. Give your feet an ice bath

   Your feet are especially sensitive to temperature changes. Dunking them in a bucket of freezing cold water will shock your body and cool you off almost immediately. It also resets your body’s temperature, getting you back to a nice, comfortable state again.
   
   
   
   
   

4. Spritz yourself

   Brew a pot of mint or peppermint tea and let it chill in the refrigerator overnight. The next morning, fill up a spray bottle with it and spritz away! The cool mist, mixed with the soothing properties of the tea, will give you exactly what you need: a refreshing boost first thing in the morning or a shot of energy midday to keep you going!
   
   
   
   

5. Dress for success

   There are plenty of things you can buy or build yourself to keep you cool on even the hottest days. String together plastic ice cubes for a necklace that keeps you cool without the mess! Wearing white is also a huge help. White clothing doesn’t absorb heat, but rather bounces it back into the atmosphere. You can even buy mini fans that attach to your phone. If money is no object, there are full fledged ice vests available for purchase too.
   
   
   
   

6. Find the cool zone

   Hiding out in the basement is a go-to move when the temperature rises, but there are some other spots that can help keep you cool. Try bringing a few cushions and a good book into your empty bathtub. It might look strange, but you’ll be the coolest one in the house. If you’re brave, you can even fill the tub with cold water. Cellars are also a great place to stay cool if you’re desperate and don’t mind small dark places.
   
   
   
   

7. Multi purpose cooling

   Keep your favorite body lotion, moisturizer and skin care products in the fridge or a cool, dark place. Lather your body for an instant cooling sensation that refreshes your skin at the same time! If you’re suffering from a sunburn, the same can be done with aloe. Repeat as necessary.

   No AC in the summer doesn’t have to be the end of the world. Try one of these low-cost alternative ways to stay cool this summer, share a photo with us at #SaskPower, and spend your savings on ice-cream!