Summer Schvitzing: A Guide for Summer Survival

Well… it’s Summer.

Summer = Sunshine.

Sunshine = Heat.

Heat = Sweat.

It doesn’t matter who you are (unless you are Roger Federer) you will perspire when the mercury hits 100 degrees. Some more than others, but that’s life.

Just because it’s going to be a 100+ degree day doesn’t mean you give up! Drawing from the highly motivational speech in the movie Independence Day (“We will not go quietly into the night, we will not Vanish without a Fight!”) there are ways to combat the summer temperatures.

Personal Changes

• Attire- It would be silly to wear a fur coat in the summer, but why is this thought process only applied to the extreme weather conditions? During heat waves, wear a dry-fit golf shirt. Still business appropriate yet it increases your overall breathability.
• Undershirts- It boils down to this simple equation: 2 > 1 . Undershirts are good. But you may think “But two layers is hotter than one!” Well, yes. But if you concede and accept that you will be a hot mess, then two layers is harder to show your grossness than one.
• Start Cold- Rather than nuking yourself and your apartment by taking a piping hot shower, go with a cold shower. Benefits:
• 1- Core body temperature will start lower
• 2- A warm shower will heat the apartment

• 3- You aren’t killing baby seals…. I mean, you are using less energy.
• Summer Hair Cuts-
• Boys = Buzz cut
• Girls = ? (not my area of expertise)

Environment

A major component of your ability to cope with the heat, is understanding your environment and adjusting from there.

• Find the source of coolness
• Subways- the AC in NYC subways are uncredible (unblievable + incredible). NYC Subway’s AC is the Robert Horry of ACs. Not appreciated, very reliable, clutch in the heat (pun intended) and a proven winner. The AC is spewed from the center of the ceiling. Positioning yourself as close to there as possible.

• Metro-North (NYC)- the AC comes from the ceiling but is pointed towards the window so the slanted ceiling pushes the cold air to the edge of the car. Sit in the Window Seat!
• Transportation
• Walk vs Other

• Walking in 100 degree heat is the equivalent of jumping into a shark tank after bathing in chum for several hours. Sometimes, it is a necessity though.
• Know your route- If you have to walk, take main streets and plot a course with as many major stores and grocery stores as possible.
• Major Stores (Best Buy, Bloomingdales, radio shack) pay a premium on massive AC units. When you walk past their door, you are hit with a blast of coolness. NOTE: The best is the DSW Shoes in Union Sq.
• Grocery Stores- Climb into the frozen food freezers and relax for a hot second. It will feel glorious
• Local vs Express Train
• The more time you are with Robert Horry (NYC Subway AC) the better. Defer to local train in ALL occasions.

• Other
• “If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen!” Very smart quote. Order in your food.

The only other option is to move to LA where always awesome weather.