August is chock full of “dog day afternoons.”  We know that means it’s hot outside but do you know where that saying comes from? For the answer you’ll have to go back to ancient Rome. Back then Sirius or the Dog Star rises before sunrise in the late summer months. Because this time was tied to increased heat it was thought that dogs would go mad and people would get hysterical just because it’s too darn hot. As any decent astronomer will tell you Sirius can no longer be seen in that same position in Rome but that phrase has stuck. Through the years it has come to mean a hot, sticky, muggy day where all you want is to crawl into a refrigerator. Residents of Sarasota, Florida know all about dog day afternoons. What’s your favorite way to stay cool?

Drinking all those fluids that everyone recommends you drink can actually quickly cool you down. It’s best to stick with things like water or ice tea. You can spruce up either of those drinks with a sprig of mint or orange slice. The goal is to keep drinking so that you never get thirsty. The moment you’re thirsty you’ve become dehydrated and now have to play a catch up game replenishing your body with fluids. Here’s something else you should consider: sweating in the heat is actually a good thing. It’s your body’s way of cooling you down. When it’s hot out and you stop sweating is when you should worry.

A lot of folks around Sarasota find welcome relief heading to the shore or dipping into a pool but you can’t stay in the water for hours. The alternative is to head indoors to one of the many cool malls, theaters or museums in the area. When that fails you’ll be stuck back at your place hoping to find relief.  If it doesn’t feel like the cool air from your fans or AC unit is circulating it might be the fault of junk. If your home is full of clutter then that air can’t flow. Look around your space. How much clutter are you holding onto? If the answer is anywhere around “a lot” then it’s time to call Junk King Sarasota.

Junk King is the local Sarasota & Bradenton business whose mission statement is to take all the junk out of our lives. That includes all kinds of oversized items like furniture, mattresses and major appliances. If something is busted or you’re not using it then it’s junk and it should be taken away. As long as you’re hiring Junk King to handle those big items you can also get them to load up any other small pieces of junk. In no time you’ll have your basements, attics and closets stripped to the walls and cleared of junk. That’s a good thing which will free up space and allow your cool air to circulate more efficiently. And if you’re buying a new air conditioner, make sure Junk King takes out the old one!