How to Stay Cool Naturally This Summer

When the temperature climbs, most of us reach straight for the fan or the freezer. But after 20 years working with aromatherapy and natural skincare, I've picked up a few simple, natural ways to stay cool that go a little further than just sitting in front of a breeze. Here's what I'll be doing myself this week, and what I'd recommend to anyone wondering how to stay cool naturally without relying on air conditioning alone.

1. A Fridge-Cold Facial Toner for Instant Refreshment

One of the simplest hot weather tricks I know is keeping a facial toner in the fridge. A cold mist across the face and neck is instantly refreshing, and if you choose a toner made with natural floral waters, you get a skincare benefit alongside the cooling effect.

My Rose & Geranium Skin Toner is made with rose and geranium hydrosols, gentle, naturally derived floral waters that are known for being balancing for the skin. Kept in the fridge, it becomes a lovely cold mist for hot days, cooling you down and caring for your complexion at the same time.

How to use it: Store your toner in the fridge overnight, then mist over your face and neck whenever you need a lift throughout the day.

2. A Cooling Foot Soak (Done the Right Way)

A foot soak is a wonderfully relaxing way to cool down, but there's a common mistake worth knowing about. Many people reach straight for ice-cold water, assuming colder is always better. In fact, very cold water can make your body clamp down on circulation at the skin's surface, which actually works against the cooling effect you're after. Cool, rather than icy, water allows your body to release heat properly.

How to do it:

Fill a bowl with cool (not icy) water and add a small handful of plain bath salts for the mineral benefit. If you'd like to add fragrance, mix a drop or two of peppermint essential oil into a teaspoon of carrier oil first, then add that to the water. It's normal to see small droplets sitting on the surface, they're already safely diluted at that point. Soak your feet for around 10 minutes somewhere shady.

If you'd rather skip the measuring and mixing, my Fragrant Bath Salts blend lavender, geranium and grapefruit essential oils straight into the salt, so it's ready to use straight from the bag.

Please note: this foot soak is not suitable for pregnant women or young children. As always, when using essential oils, check your supplier's usage guidelines before use.

3. Homemade Lemonade, the Old-Fashioned Way

There are countless lemonade recipes out there, but this is the one I always come back to on a hot day.

Classic Homemade Lemonade

A little bit naughty, but lovely for a refreshing occasional treat:

• 6 lemons, juiced
• 150g sugar (or to taste)
• 1 litre water
• A handful of ice

Warm the sugar gently with a splash of the water until it dissolves into a syrup, then stir that through the lemon juice and the rest of the water. Chill, then serve over plenty of ice.

Sugar-Free Lemonade

I've made this version myself too, and it's just as refreshing:

• 6 lemons, juiced
• Stevia or a sugar-free sweetener of your choice, to taste
• 1 litre water
• A handful of ice

Simply stir the lemon juice and sweetener into the water until well combined, adjusting to taste, then chill and serve over ice.

Tip: Pour either version into ice lolly moulds and freeze for a refreshing summer treat.

Did You Know? The Aromatherapy Behind Lemon Oil

Lemon essential oil is actually extracted from the peel, not the juice. Most producers use a cold-pressing method, gently squeezing the fresh peel to release the fragrant oils held in the tiny dots you can see on a lemon's skin, the very same place all that wonderful zesty scent comes from.

In aromatherapy, lemon oil is loved for being uplifting and energising, perfect for lifting your mood on a hot day, and it's also known for promoting a sense of clarity and focus. A drop or two diffused around the home can make the whole space feel brighter, fresher, and more summery.

Staying Cool, Naturally

Whether it's a cold toner mist, a proper foot soak, or a jug of homemade lemonade in the shade, staying cool doesn't have to mean hiding indoors all summer. A few simple, natural habits can make the heat far more bearable, and with 20 years of aromatherapy experience behind these tips, I hope they help you enjoy the sunshine rather than dread it.

Want to learn more about using essential oils safely and confidently at home? Explore my aromatherapy blending course and discover how to create your own natural wellbeing rituals all year round.