Ahh, the dog days of summer! July 3 to August 11, the hottest, most sweltering time of the year. Ancient people noticed that the brightest star in the sky, Sirius the Dog Star, appeared just before dawn during this period. They believed the glow from Sirius (from the Ancient Greek word for “scorching”) intensified the heat of summer days.
Your pooch may cool off by lying flat on the kitchen floor or finding a muddy puddle to roll in. What are some ways people can stay cool during these dog days?
Find some shade!
Though the air temperature may be only a little cooler in the shade, typically 2-9 degrees, shade can make it feel as much as 20 degrees cooler because your body does not have to absorb the solar radiation directly. If you find shade beneath trees, added bonus: as trees release water vapor through evapotranspiration, the process draws heat out of the air and lowers the surrounding temperature.
Play in water!
Taking a dip or running through a sprinkler are very effective ways to cool off because the cold water will absorb heat from your body. Then, when you step out of the water and it starts to evaporate off your skin, that cools you off, too. Find some more suggestions for water play here.
Take a nap!
Some cultures in hot places have developed a tradition of taking a break during the hottest part of the day. The good news is, if you rest during the middle of the day, you might have more energy later on. Try it and see!
Eat spicy food. Spicy food can make you sweat. Sweating helps your body regulate its temperature, so it helps you cool off. Experiment by eating some spicy Indian, Thai, or Mexican foods and see if you feel cooler.
Wear light, flowy clothing. You might assume shorts and t-shirts are the best things to wear when it’s hot out, but some cultures in hot climates have wardrobes that look very different. Light colors reflect sunlight while darker colors absorb more light energy.
Of course, drink a lot of water to stay hydrated and stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day. That is good advice for your dog, too.
And if you want to try to spot Sirius the Dog Star, go outside a half hour or so before the sun rises and look for the bright, bluish star on the southeastern horizon!
