Practical Thriving: Stay Truly Cool, WITHOUT AC ... for free!

Whether you want to save money or the environment (or both), or if you just want to spend more time being comfortable outside in hot summer weather, this quick and easy trick is a real game-changer.

It's slashed my summer utility bill and EXPLODED my happiness, because finally I can enjoy being outdoors all summer long!

This trick is a bit of a miracle for this outdoors-loving body ... that wilted at temps over about 83, couldn't exercise at all when outdoors temps went over 75 degrees, AND needs to protect from UV but hates sunscreen. (Even the good zinc stuff.)

WELCOME TO THE MIRACLE OF EVAPORATIVE COOLING:

* WATER ON YOUR SKIN *

seriously lowers body temperature.

In seconds. PLUS, it lasts a long time!

(Tested effective up to 75% ambient humidity.)

I know, I know this isn't rocket science. In fact, you might already be in on this. Honestly, I have no idea how it took me 5 decades to figure this out. I guess I was busy learning about the inner world of thriving. That definitely paid off for me ... and, I do grieve all those missed glorious bike rides when it was sunny and over 75 degrees out.

On the other hand, I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who somehow missed this incredibly effective, FREE body cooling secret all these years.

COOLING OPTIONS (all of these work great, pick your favorite! I've personally tested all these up to 75% humidity. At some point above that level -- maybe 80%? 85%? I dunno, it doesn't get that humid where I am -- any water-based cooling trick will stop working.):

• Large or small fan, or any other source of air movement - yeah, I know you know this one. I only mention it here because when we combine wind of any kind with any method of dampening your skin, the cooling effect is increased by many times. See below for how I stay delightfully cool when riding my bike hard ... with a UV protective long-sleeved top on!

• Dampen bare skin - you can use a small absorbent cloth or a fine mist spray bottle to dampen your skin anywhere you like: face, neck (front or back), chest, arms, legs, tummy, back. I prefer using a cloth because it gives me more control over where the water goes. Again, at some point above 75% humidity, this will stop working.

• Absorbent cloth around neck/over shoulders/on chest, etc. - Wet the cloth, wring it out so it's not dripping, and wrap or drape wherever you want. A washcloth, hand towel, old bath towel cut into strips, or an official "cooling towel" all work great. I do like the 40" x 12" size, I wrap it once around my neck and then spread the ends out over my shoulders.

• Wet your clothes - this is how I ride my bike hard in up to 83 degree weather now, completely comfortably, even though I have to wear a long-sleeved, UV protective top. (I also put wet washcloths on my knees, both for UV protection where my bike shorts don't cover and for extra cooling.) I bring extra water to pour on my arms, chest, shoulders, and upper back. Since I live in the #1 recreational road biking destination in the US, and biking around my beloved Minneapolis Lakes is my #1 favorite thing to do every day it's above 40 degrees out, it's a bit of a miracle for me to be totally comfortable up to at least 83 degree, now. (That's an enormous increase!) I'm truly in heaven, this summer!

This is the paradise I get to ride every day -- 55 miles of gorgeous parkway bike trails in and around downtown Minneapolis, including the downtown riverfront. Lake of the Isles (pictured) is just 2 miles from downtown.

There you have it!

I'd love to hear if this trick contributes to your comfort, with above-90 temps coming to most of the US this week.

To your easy comfort and delighted thriving,

www.thriving-life.org