7 Ways to Beat the Heat While Gardening This Summer ...

Those cute little gardening hats aren’t just for fashion ladies - they’re one of the best ways to beat the heat. Buy one with a wide brim so that it covers your face as much as possible and provides shade to your neck and shoulders. This will help keep the sun’s rays off your head which may not only help you sweat less but also prevent sunburn and wrinkles.

Never head outside without a water bottle in your hand if you’re planning on being in the garden a while. Keeping it with you will ensure you remember to drink it and you’re less inclined to delay going to get something to drink if you already have it by your side. Take sips every twenty minutes, even if you’re not thirsty. Remember, by the time thirst kicks in, the body is already dehydrated, so stay on top of it and drink up!

Another benefit of drinking more water is you’ll need to take extra bathroom breaks - this is a good thing! Stepping inside for just a few minutes during the day is a great way to cool off and refresh yourself. Don’t forget to make yourself a nice little lunch and a snack during your breaks too!

The sun’s hottest points of the day in the summer are between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. so if you’re going to be outside then, try to spend most of that time in a shaded area. Spend the earlier parts of the day in the parts of your garden where there’s less shade. Letting the sun’s rays be your guide to where you work and when can make a huge difference in how cool or hot you get throughout the day.

If you’re a late sleeper (which is nice I agree), you’re going to have to fight the urge to stay in bed and do your best to get outside a little earlier in the day. Getting outside in the the morning is the best way to avoid dangerous heat and that means you'll get to come in sooner during the hotter parts of the day. So get up and head out early - you can always nap once you're done!

Being sure to eat before you head out is key but it's also important to consider what you eat if you want to stay cool all day. Avoid foods that cause the body to heat up such as spicy foods, high fat foods, excess caffeine, meat, and hot foods in general. Instead, choose cooling foods like leafy greens, salads, fish, yogurt, smoothies, fruit, and raw veggies instead of cooked.

Anytime you start to feel especially overheated, have a cloth nearby. Run it under your hosepipe and wipe your face, arms, and legs down with it (in that order). The cold cloth will immediately lower body temperatures and prevent you from getting too hot. It works like a charm, trust me!

If you’re an avid gardener, how do you beat the heat while still enjoying your favorite hobby?