7 Tips for Staying Cool During Outdoor Gatherings

12.07.2024 - 17:20 / thespruce.com / Christianna Silva

Outdoor gatherings are the reason for the season. From backyard barbecues to garden parties, the best part of summer is spending time outside.

But each year, it gets warmer and warmer, and as temperatures rise, spending too much time outdoors can be uncomfortable—making it essential to ensure you and your guests stay cool.

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Chances are, if it’s really hot out, you and your guests will be sweating. You should have ample water around so people can replenish the water that leaves their bodies through sweat.

Plus, drinking water can help you cool down by regulating your body temperature. Make it a bit more fun by including a variety of hydration-heavy drinks, like infused water and iced tea.

Being in direct sunlight can make the air feel 10-15 degrees warmer than it actually is, so providing plenty of shade is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep you and your guests cool.

You can use umbrellas, canopies, and tents in a pinch, but you can also strategically position seating areas under trees in your yard. 

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We can’t control the climate, but we can buy portable fans and misters, distribute them throughout the yard, and create a breeze. You can purchase fans and misters at basically any size, plug-in or battery-operated, to make cooling down a yard full of people as easy and simple as possible.

You can even hand out little handheld fans—like an accordion hand fan—to guests when they arrive.

It’s not always possible to time your gathering around the sun, but if you can, try to schedule it during the cooler parts of the day, like early morning or late afternoon into the evening. The hottest part of the day is typically midday, when the sun is directly ahead and