4 Tips On How To Avoid Summer Heat

Here’s the thing about summer in Australia: it gets hot. Real hot. Uncomfortably, unpleasantly, and sometimes even unbearably… hot. Sure, we spend the entire winter loathing the moment we have to get out of our warm beds, making our way to work in frosty conditions, longing for the summer months. But when those months arrive, the long, sweaty days occasionally have us longing for winter again. Whatever the case, in this article we’ll take a look at four ways to make the Australian summer more bearable, from drinking plenty of water to installing a retractable awning.

1. Air conditioning

Increasingly, air conditioning is a must. It’s awesome in the winter on those cold nights and frosty mornings, and it’s even better in the summer on those sticky afternoons. Whether in your home, at the workplace or in your car, having the ability to bring the temperature from 35°C to 22°C can feel like a godsend. It’s particularly important for those who live a fair way inland from the coast; the western suburbs of Sydney, for example, or even deep in the Australian country. The lack of a cool sea breeze makes for uncomfortably humid conditions in the summertime, and air conditioning is the perfect answer. If you can’t afford to have air conditioning installed in your home, you could settle for a portable air conditioner, which can be found for under $100, or perhaps even an oscillating fan.

2. Water… lots of water

We’ve lost count of the amount of times we’ve used the famous line from The Waterboy — “That’s some quality H2O” — during the hot summer months. The fact of the matter is that water is the most important natural resource we have (well, besides air, we suppose), and its value is highlighted in the summertime. There’s nothing better than an ice cold glass of water on a scorching summer’s day. Or perhaps you own a backyard swimming pool and want to spend your Sundays floating around with a beer and a plate of sliced watermelon. If you don’t have a swimming pool of your own, you can head to the local pool for what is usually a very minimal fee, or perhaps make your way down to the beach for some saltwater freshness if you live near the coast.

3. Plenty of shade

Despite the sometimes oppressive heat, very few of us want to waste the summer months inside the house. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the opportunity for an ice cold beverage and a barbecue in our yards. For this reason, it pays to install plenty of shade around your front or backyard areas. You may, for example, want to have a pergola or patio installed to create an entertaining area. Or for a more affordable option, you could go with retractable awnings which can provide shade and cooling on those super-hot days and be retracted when you want to soak up a little bit of sun.

4. Hit the shopping centre

Here’s a little trick that the savvy summer chill-seekers know all too well — head down to your local shopping centre and spend the hottest parts of the day mucking about in the cool. Whether it’s doing some casual shopping, relaxing at the food court or seeing a movie at the cinema, these locations are almost invariably incredibly well-air conditioned. Take advantage!