5 Ways to Stay Cool Without Air-Conditioning in the Jersey Summer Heat

It’s summer in New Jersey, so it’s been really hot lately. Last night during dinner we were talking about how hot it was, and I said, “Thankfully, we have air conditioning.” My daughter responded, “Yeah, what would we do?” There was a time when air conditioning didn't exist. It was this week in 1902 that the first air conditioner was created, but it wouldn't be commonplace for decades.

New Jersey's scorching summers can be challenging without the luxury of air-conditioning. However, if for some reason you don’t have it, it is possible to stay cool and comfortable by using some ideas that people did a long, long, time ago.

Optimizing ventilation is one way to bring down the temperature in the house. Maximize airflow by opening windows during cooler times of the day, such as early morning and late evening. Utilize cross-ventilation by strategically placing fans to create a breeze throughout your living space. We have a whole-house fan that works great as an alternative to air conditioning.

It’s also a good idea to try and block out the sun as much as possible. You can close the curtains, blinds, or shades to block out sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. You can also try reflective window coverings or window tinting to reduce the amount of heat directly from the sun. We have two skylights in our family room that have sun-blocking shades we close in the summer to keep the room cooler.

Some folks will put a bowl of ice or a cold, damp towel in front of a fan. You’re not going to need a jacket with this one, but it does blow cooler air for a little bit of relief.

What you wear and how you wear it can make a huge difference. Wear loose, breathable clothing made of lightweight fabrics like cotton or linen. Apparently, these materials allow for better air circulation, keep your body cool, and reduce sweating.

It’s always important to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine and alcohol, because they can dehydrate you. You can’t eat ice cream all day so eating something else cool like fruits and vegetables will work well.

It's also a good idea to use the grill more when you cook. Not using the stove or oven will keep it cooler.

Jersey summers are hot, but at least we’re not dealing with a nasty snowstorm. Can you imagine how exhausting it would be shoveling snow in this heat?

There are some major benefits to taking a trip by yourself. The solitude gives you time to clear your mind and gather your thoughts. And it also enables you to create your own schedule, taking in the sights you set out for. Good Housekeeping published a report that details America’s best places for solo travel, and New Jersey was all over this list.

In addition, Fifty Grande recently conducted a solo travel survey. They found that “52% of respondents said they planned to take a solo trip before the end of the year, and 64% of them planned to take that trip in America.” Furthermore, they found that 40% of those that participated in their survey answered “10” on a scale of 1-10 on how comfortable they were to travel alone. 83% said answered a 7 or above.

Other interesting items to note were 89% of the people had already taken a solo trip. The main reason was to “explore a new place and/or immerse in a local culture.” 22.9% said they traveled alone because it was “more fun when I’m 100% in control.”

Moreover, 52% of people plan on traveling solo before the end of the year. Much of that will be within the United States, Fifty Grande shows.

New Jersey is filled with areas that are prime for solo travel exploring. Of course, Atlantic City has a major nightlife scene. There are pristine golf courses all throughout the state, some of which are in close proximity to New York City (if you want to head in for dinner or a show). Finally, there are miles of beachside attractions along the Atlantic and historic sites deep in the heart of the Garden State. So, let's take a look at the two New Jersey destinations that were named best for solo travel. They happen to over a hundred and thirty miles away from each other, and vastly different in terms of what you can explore there.

Home to the Ivy League Tigers, Good Housekeeping calls out the historic sites this central New Jersey town house to offer. "Princeton Battle Monument honors the battle fought and won by George Washington in 1777." The University Art Museum and the Morven Museum and Garden often attract tourists from all over the world. Lastly, Carnegie Lake is one of the most serene spots in the state.

"Spend your day wandering the cute shops, sunbathing at the beach or climbing the 199 steps to the top of Cape May Lighthouse in Cape May Pointe State Park," Good Housekeeping suggest. Cape May draws a lot of visitors in the summer months. It's very common that you will find families, couples, and solo travelers among them. In addition to one of the most beautiful lighthouses on the east coast, you can visit winery's, theaters, safaris, or just rest along the shore of the beautiful beaches.