To stay cool, wear flowing robes and throw water around? Yes, says science

Long before air conditioners existed, people all over the world found clever ways to stay cool in hot weather. Some of their methods might seem strange at first — like wearing dark, heavy robes in the desert or splashing water on a hot sidewalk. But science shows that many of these old tricks actually work, and some could even help people today as summers get hotter.

In Japan, a tradition called uchimizu involves pouring cold water on hot pavement outside homes and shops. When the water evaporates, it pulls heat away from the ground and cools the air nearby. A 2018 study found that uchimizu can lower air temperatures near the ground by as much as 12 degrees Celsius. The more neighbors who join in, the better it works. Shigenori Asai of the Japan Water Forum said, 'You might even feel a cooling breeze.'

In parts of India, people once hung wet screens made from the roots of a grass called vetiver over doors and windows. When hot air blows through the damp screens, some of its heat is removed — another form of evaporative cooling. The grass also smells pleasant, making the air feel fresher. This method works especially well in dry climates. In fact, some modern technology centers are now using a similar idea called indirect evaporative cooling.

It may sound strange, but wearing loose, dark robes in the desert can actually help keep you cool. A study published in the journal Nature in 1980 found that dark robes absorb heat, which warms the air inside the garment. That warm air rises and escapes out the top, while cooler air is pulled in from the bottom — almost like a pump. So the extra heat never actually reaches the wearer's skin. For humid places like the American South, a light, wrinkled fabric called seersucker works well because it doesn't stick to sweaty skin and lets air flow around the body.

Eating spicy food during a heat wave might seem like the last thing you'd want to do, but it can actually help your body cool down. Chili peppers contain a chemical called capsaicin, which fools the brain into thinking the body is overheating. This triggers the body's cooling system — blood vessels open up, and sweat glands kick in to cool the skin. This is one reason why many hot countries, like India, Thailand, and Mexico, have spicy food traditions. Meanwhile, cold sugary sodas can actually make things worse by reducing sweat and making the body work harder to digest sugar.

Instead of soda, people in parts of Asia drink lightly chilled, unsweetened teas made from plants like barley. These teas keep the body hydrated and can help blood flow to the skin, which releases heat. Alcohol, like beer, is a bad idea in the heat because it causes dehydration and makes it harder for the body to control its temperature. Choosing the right drink can make a real difference on a hot day. Simple, unsweetened beverages are often the best choice.

Finally, taking a midday rest — called a siesta — is another time-tested way to avoid overheating. Moving around and using energy both produce body heat, so resting during the hottest part of the day lowers the risk of heat exhaustion. Siestas have long been common in countries like Spain, Greece, and Italy. As Europe faces hotter and hotter summers, some experts are now encouraging the practice to return. In 2023, a German doctors' leader said, 'We should follow the work practices of southern countries during heat.'