Top 5 hot weather hacks to beat the heat in Vancouver

Staying cool in a heatwave can be hard, here are some creative ways to do it

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Caption: A woman trying to stay cool during a heatwave. (Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)

Staying cool during a heatwave can be hard, but thankfully, the internet is full of ideas for hot weather hacks. There are some classics like building your own air conditioner(external link), or putting a bowl of ice in front of your fan, and then there are some other creative ways to stay cool.
We've compiled some of our favourites.
  1. Aloe vera ice cubes — Buy some aloe vera gel from a drugstore (as few ingredients as possible so it freezes well), put into an ice tray and freeze. Use to help soothe a sunburn.
  2. Pulse points — If you're using plain old ice to stay cool, you'll want to put it where it's most beneficial. The head, neck and wrists — all parts of the body with lots of blood vessels close to the skin's surface — are particularly good places for the blood to let off steam.
  3. Put down the beer — The carbohydrates in the beer are going to put your stomach into overdrive. Plus, the alcohol in the brewskis acts as a diuretic, robbing your body of moisture that it needs for cooling.
  4. Freeze a wet sponge — soak it in water and put it in the freezer in a ziploc bag. Use it to cool down and let the sponge absorb moisture.
  5. Freeze your sheets — Put your pillow case or sheets in the freezer. Slip them on the bed before you sleep for a cool night's rest.
Do you have creative ways of staying cool during a heatwave? Share your tips in the comment section.