10 Easy Ways to Stay Cool This Summer Without an Air Conditioner

If you have a ceiling fan, don't forget to switch the direction of the spin to counter-clockwise so the blades can push the hot air out properly. Also be sure to crank it as fast as it will go!

Staying hydrated is always essential, but it is especially important during hot summer months. Not only are we losing moisture by sweating more, but drinking cold water can help keep your body temperature lower from the inside out. (Psst: You can also enjoy a few summer cocktails and ice cream treats to help cool down.)

Pulse points are the areas where you can feel your pulse because the veins are closer to the skin. According to Lifehacker, cooling those areas helps the flowing blood chill throughout your body. The back of your neck is the best bet, but you can also try your wrists, inside of your elbows, knees, ankles, and the tops of your feet. If you don't have any ice packs on hand, a damp cloth works, too. 

Cotton sheets will breathe better in the hot summer weather and still wick up sweat as well as a thicker fabric. You might also try investing in a buckwheat pillow ($44.99, Amazon), which have naturally occurring air pockets between the fibers that cool down faster.

Placing your sheets in the freezer (in a plastic bag) for even just a few hours before you hit the hay can help soothe you into a cooled down slumber quicker.

Obviously, you'll still have to use your oven or stove at some point during the summer months. But opting for food you can prepare without as often as possible — like healthy salads or getting more use out of your Instant Pot — will keep it from making your home feel like a sauna.

Boost your fan's cooling ability by putting a big bowl of ice in front of it to chill out the air that it blows your way.

Putting a box fan in the window can help reduce heat, but make sure you have it pointing out so that it's extracting the warm air from your home and pushing it away.

Investing in blackout curtains and blinds ($18.88, Amazon) will keep the sun's rays from sizzling your home all day long. According to the US Department of Energy, "medium-colored draperies with white-plastic backings can reduce heat gains by 33 percent."

Whether you hop in the shower in the morning or before bed, cooling down the water will help bring your body temperature down. It doesn't have to be ice cold, but a manageable (and relieving) level of chilly.