Tips to Survive the Hot Oklahoma Summer

We’ve all been there—tossing and turning in bed, struggling because our sweat has us practically glued to the sheets. No matter how high you turn up the AC and your fan, you’re still a sweaty mess. There are few things worse than trying to catch some shut-eye or relax in an incredibly hot, sticky room. But brutal summer temps are unavoidable for most of us here in Oklahoma.

Luckily, we found a few useful tips on how to beat the heat and get a great night’s rest even when it feels like a post-apocalyptic summer! Obviously, the best solution to a good night’s sleep is a functional air conditioner. These modern gizmos can keep a bedroom at the optimum sleep temperature (roughly between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit), plus provide some nice white noise to boot. Don’t let your sleep suffer with a broken air conditioner.

How to Beat the Heat

Choose Cotton for Bed Sheets

Save the satin, silk or polyester sheets for cooler nights. Light-colored bed linens made of lightweight cotton (Egyptian or otherwise) are breathable and excellent for promoting ventilation and airflow in the bedroom.

Use Your Freezer

Stick sheets in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes before bed. We recommend placing them in a plastic bag first. Granted, this won’t keep you cool all night, but it will provide a brief respite from heat and humidity.

Invest in a Water Bottle

Buy a typical water bottle at the store closest to you and stick it in the freezer. When you’re comfortable in your bed, toss the frozen water bottle in with you to create a bed-friendly ice pack.

Be Creative

If you thought fans are just for blowing warm air around, there’s more use to them than that! Point box fans out the windows so they push warm air out. Then, adjust the ceiling fan settings so the blades run counter-clockwise, pulling warm air up and out instead of just twirling it around the room.

Sleep like an Egyptian

There’s a method that was created by the Egyptians to fight the heat back in the day. It involves dampening a sheet or towel in cool water and using it as a blanket. We recommend laying the damp sheets on top of a dry towel to avoid soaking the mattress.

Get Loose

Less is definitely more when it comes to pajamas in the summertime. Pick a loose, soft cotton (always go with cotton) shirt and shorts. No need to carry over your winter jammies into bed unless you enjoy being miserable. The lighter the layers, the better off you’ll be!

Drink Water Before Going to Bed

Get a leg up on hydration by drinking a glass of water before bed. Tossing and turning and sweating at night can result in dehydration. You can help decrease this by drinking a glass of water before going to bed. Just 8 ounces will work, unless you enjoy those 3 a.m. bathroom runs.

Cool Off with a Cold Shower

A cold shower takes on a whole new meaning during the summertime. Rinsing off under a stream of cool water brings down the core body temperature and rinses off sweat so you can hit the hay feeling cool and clean.

Of course, the best solution that works with any of these tips is a functioning air conditioning unit. For AC repair, maintenance and installation, call the pros at Interstate Heat and Air!

Don’t get stuck in the heat! Our technicians are ready to diagnose, evaluate, and get the job done right. It’s never a pleasant experience when your HVAC system fails to work properly, but there’s no need to panic; Interstate’s got you covered! Call today at 405-794-8900.

For information or assistance with HVAC efficiency, give Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning a call at 405-794-8900.

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