Living in an area where the climate is especially dry throughout the summer can be a challenging ordeal. You’re at greater risk of becoming severely dehydrated or suffering from heatstroke if your local weather is exceedingly hot and dry for long periods, so you’ll want to do everything you can to protect yourself. Here are some of the best ways to survive the summer months while living in a dry climate.

Plant Some Trees

Certain types of trees are known to tolerate the heat well and can provide more natural shade for your home. This natural shade can keep the inside of your home cooler and help you reduce air conditioner usage. Hotgardens.net recommends olive trees because they often require low water usage. Chitalpa is a hybrid of the desert willow tree that also provides ample shade. Other options include the Chinese elm, California pepper tree, and Palo Alto plant.

Use the Right Bedsheets

If you have sheets made from flannel or other materials that can make you overheat while trying to sleep, you should switch them out in the summer for sheets with more breathable materials. Cotton is an excellent choice for its natural cooling effect. Changing your sheets often is an additional way to help your bed feel cooler and less stale. You can also avoid getting too hot while in bed by sleeping on a buckwheat pillow that naturally traps in pockets of cooling air.

Have Your Air Conditioner Inspected

You’ll obviously want to have your air conditioner repaired if it isn’t working, but your unit may still not be performing up to standard without you realizing. Your system might not be blowing out as much air as it should. The air temperature from your system could also be too warm because of an unknown mechanical failure. A professional from an air conditioning repair service can inspect your unit and perform any needed repairs.

Cook More Often Outdoors

On days when the outdoor temperatures aren’t unbearably hot, you should consider cooking your meals outdoors to keep the inside of your home as cool as possible. An outdoor barbeque grill can be used to prepare chicken, steak, and grilled vegetables. If you don’t already have an outdoor kitchen, you may want to invest in a unit that includes an oven and a rotisserie grill.

Staying cool in a hot and dry environment can be done with a little extra effort. By warding off the excessive heat, you’ll have a better chance of surviving the summer with less difficulty.