It's either too hot, too cool, too wet or too dry in the Southern Tier.  There truly is no winning as you can't get anyone to agree on the perfect day.  After a long winter and wet spring, you would think people would welcome a couple of 90 degree days.  Personally, I love it hot and I can take the heat any day over a cold streak.

But still, a streak of 90 degree days can be dangerous on people with health issues, the elderly and our pets.  It's important to check on those that may need some extra attention and drink plenty of water, with room temperature H2O always better that ice cold water.

According to TownHall.com, Italian farmers are installing showers and air-conditioning to keep pigs, cows and chickens cool, during record-breaking summer heat.  The hot weather causes chickens to lay fewer eggs, cows to produce less milk, and pigs to lose weight.

Here are 5 ideas to help you cope on these hot days and nights in the Southern Tier:

1)   Hit a local park -  We are very lucky to have a large number of city and county parks all located a short driving distance away.  Cole, Greenwood, Dorchester and Chenango Valley State Park all offer quick getaways.  You cool off and if you spend the day, it feels like you took a mini vacation without spending a lot of green to do it.

2)  Dress the part - loose clothing rules in the heat.  Stick with lightweight cotton, seersucker, and linen.

3)  Eat small more often - We are lucky to have so many farmers markets and produce stands around the Southern Tier.  You might pay a tad more but the flavor is defiantly worth it and you support local at the same time. Studies show that eating smaller meals more often, with lots of fruits and veggies, is linked to happiness and well being and keeps you cooler.

4) Catch a baseball game - It doesn't matter how hot it is during the day, there's something about the breeze that comes through NYSEG Stadium at a Binghamton Mets game.  It always seems like the perfect temperature, even on the hottest Binghamton night.  Tuesday and Thursday home games offer up more incentive to grab tickets, with B1G1 discounted beverage specials.

5)  Spice it up -  Believe it or not, eating hot food makes your body cool down. Grab some Thai or Mexican food and cool down with the help of natural capsaicin.

 

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