5 Ways to Cool Your Body Down When It Heats Up

The average body temperature differs slightly from person to person. Most experts suggest that the normal body temperature is around 98.6ºF (37ºC).

This might vary by up to up to 0.9ºF (0.5ºC) since it is common to have a higher-than-normal body temperature after intense physical activity or on a hot day.

However, a body temperature of above 100.4ºF (38ºC) could indicate a fever. While usually this is normal, it might reach an uncomfortable point. This leads us to the question of how to reduce body heat?

In this article, we discuss 5 Evidence-based tips for reducing body heat and explain the most common causes of high body temperature. Keep reading!

What Causes Body Temperature to Rise?

Apart from natural causes, the human body sometimes counters the risk-factors caused by external factors by increasing body heat. These factors include infections as well as viruses.

Such fevers are caused by a substance called pyrogen. Pyrogens are of several different types. They are found in the bloodstream and produced by bacteria such as E. Coli. Apart from fever, they can also produce sepsis or swelling. 

Pyrogens make their way to the hypothalamus in the brain, which is in charge of regulating body temperature. (CS)

It’s an inflammatory response to the illness wherein to destroy the harmful proteins in pathogens to keep them from multiplying.

While, this is important, it often has some side effects. As you may have noticed several times, high fever may be accompanied by other symptoms.

This includes: Sweating, seizures, dehydration, headache, weakness, and loss of appetite.

Side Effects of Excessive Body Heat

It’s normal for your body to heat up in response to pathogens, but things can get uncomfortable.  

1. Mood

Increased body heat causes, excessive sweating, and increased irritability, this can easily transform your mood from good to bad in a matter of a few minutes.

1. Sleep

As if bad mood wasn’t enough, you might end up spending the night tossing and turning if you’re dealing with excessive body heat. This in turn, would make your mood and productivity even worse the following day. 

1. Concentration

High fever could make one want to stay in bed all day and postpone all their chores, errands and responsibility to the following day. Imagine having to work on those reports when your head is hot as lava.

Other potential side effects of a soaring body temperature include muscle aches, chills, fatigue and a loss of appetite. 

How to Lower Body Heat Quickly?

The most important thing to remember in this situation is to keep yourself hydrated. 

Water has the ability to regulate the internal temperature of the body in response to the external changes.

Water is required for sweating and sweating is essential for releasing all that extra heat.

At the very least, you have to ensure that you hit your daily minimum water intake goal (at least 2L a day but it may vary from person to person).

Additionally, you can try the following easy and effective remedies:

1. Hydrate with Fruits

There are plenty of fruits that are high in water content. These include:

1. cantaloupe

2. watermelon

3. strawberries

4. oranges

5. grapefruit

6. lemons (yes, scientifically, lemons are fruits)

7. Eat These Vegetables

Just like fruits, certain vegetables have a high-water content. These include: 

1. celery

2. cucumber

3. cauliflower 

4. zucchini

5. tomatoes

6. lettuce

7. Cabbage

8. Eggplant

9. Spinach 

Bonus tip: Eating some of these vegetables raw will benefit you more greatly. 

1. Aloe Vera

This natural cooling agent has been thought to effectively reduce your body temperature.

Its gel and leaves offer several other benefits to our bodies as well.

You can apply Aloe Vera gel to your skin for a cooling effect. For the best benefits, keep it in the refrigerator before application.

1. Take More Showers/Baths

Taking a lukewarm shower has been shown to effectively lower body heat and help reduce the effects of a fever.

You can also sit back and relax while placing your feet into a cold bath, adding a few drops of peppermint essential oil will add an extra cooling effect.

1. Include Fenugreek into Your Diet

Fenugreek is useful in getting rid of excess fluid and helps detoxify the body.

Drinking fenugreek tea boosts sweating, which is the main channel for the body to get rid of heat. 

1. Wear Cotton

Sounds silly but, it’s scientifically proven that natural fabrics such as cotton and linen reduce the high heat of your body naturally. You should also consider wearing baggy clothes as opposed to body-hugging ones. 

1. Drink Coconut Water

Coconut water and its vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes work like mafic for your body.

It hydrates your body, balances the temperature by producing electrolytes naturally, and reenergizes your system when you have heat stress.

Usually, your body temperature should back to normal after enough rest and proper use of the above home remedies. If that doesn’t happen, it’s best to run it past your doctor.