News and Society

The majority of southern households have air conditioning in them. You have more than likely heard the phrase "it is not the heat, it is the humidity" if you are from the southern United States. The air is so full of moisture that it seems to cling to your skin. There are things that people living in these regions have learned about surviving the summer heat.

The first thing you want to keep in mind is dressing appropriately. You want to wear clothing made from materials like cotton. You do not want to wear many wool blends or synthetic blends during the summer months. Shorts, Capri pants, and flip flops seem to be a uniform for most of the southern residents. You see these items at the beach, in the bank, and in the grocery store on people from all ages and economic backgrounds.

Hydration is of major importance. You cannot feel cool and comfortable if your body is starving for water. Stay hydrated by taking frequent breaks and drinking plenty of fresh cool water. Bottled water will do in a pinch, but most southerners will prefer a nice cool drink of water from their wells.

Wear a hat to protect your head and neck from the sun. Wear plenty of sunscreen on any skin that is exposed to the sun. You will want to wear sunscreen on your lips. If you are not going to wear a hat then you may want to get one of the hair products that are designed to protect this part of your body from sun damage.

Find a shady spot to rest and work. Do not sit out in the direct sunlight if there is any type of shade nearby. The shade may not seem to be a lot cooler than the sunny area was, but trust me it is. At all times try to find a shady place to be.

Get up and do your necessary yard-work early in the morning before the temperatures get too hot. You can also go outside late in the evening when the temperature begins to drop. You will want to wear plenty of mosquitos repellant at these times of day. In the south the mosquitoes are worse at dawn and dusk.

Keep the electric lights off as much as possible. A light bulb adds additional heat to the room you are in. Keep as many lights as possible turned off. You also want to block as much of the sunlight that is filtering in through your windows as possible.

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