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Megan Barton's avatar

I saw these incredibly important tidbits in yesterday’s Nature Briefing (on 6/28/23), and felt that this information about safe, simple, effective ways to cool down should get much wider attention. (Doesn't look like I can include links - sorry!)

Podcast: the smart way to stay cool

For a shortcut to relief in hot weather, immerse your hands in cool water, biologist Craig Heller tells a Scientific American podcast. The hairless skin on our palms, soles and upper face contain special blood vessels — arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs) — that offer a more direct connection to the core of the body, bypassing the delicate capillaries. Gently cooling this skin helps you to chill out fast — but avoid freezing-cold water, which will cause the AVAs to slam closed. What not to do: use ice or a wet towel on the back of your neck. You’ll be misleading your brain’s thermostat, which uses the temperature of this area to trigger your body’s natural cooling methods.

Science, Quickly podcast | 11 min listen or 8 min read

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Doug Tarnopol's avatar

The coldest summer of the rest of your life.

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