How to Beat the Summer Heat in Eco-Chic Style

Summer is here, and so is the ultimate challenge—staying cool without melting into a human puddle. While every season has its quirks, summer cranks up the difficulty level with the scorching heat, relentless sun, and the occasional “why did I even step outside?” regret. And let’s be real—thanks to human-made climate chaos (read dozens of infra and development projects across the metros), beating the heat feels like an extreme sport. But don’t sweat it (literally)! We’ve got some refreshingly cool, eco-friendly hacks to help you breeze through the heat like a pro. So grab your iced drink, find some shade, and let’s make this summer less about sizzling and more about chilling—sustainably, of course!

Master The Heat, Don’t Fight It

Beating the heat isn’t just about cranking up the fan or finding the nearest shade—it’s a full-on strategy. The choices you make daily, from hydration to clothing to mindset, all contribute to how well you handle the heat. Summer isn’t here to test your patience (okay, maybe a little) but rather to remind you that resilience comes from within. In fact, soulful chill is all about how effortlessly you roll with the heat. So, let’s outsmart the sun, stay unfazed, and handle the heat like pros –  one eco-chic move at a time.

Cooler Plates For Hotter Days

If summer had a rulebook, “choose refreshing, not regrettable” would be on page one. One of the secrets to staying cool, healthy, and sustainable in summer is sticking to seasonal and local foods—fruits, veggies, pulses, and all that fresh goodness. Our bodies naturally crave fresh, light foods in the heat to avoid turning digestion (and our guts) into a gory summer horror story.

Skip the caffeine, booze, and extra spicy street food. Instead, load up on hydrating powerhouses like watermelon, cucumbers, and coconut water and opt for light meals like chilled soups, smoothie bowls, salads and yoghurt-based drinks. Keep it extra fresh by adding mint, fennel, or basil seeds – not just for great taste, but because beating the heat starts from within, keeping you fresh, light, and ready to roll. So, honour the first commandment of summer: Thou shalt eat to chill, not to grill.

GP Recommends:

• Project Hum: A cozy farm-to-table restaurant in Mumbai offering healthy, organic dishes sourced from local farmers.
• Silk Road Coffee Company: For the ultimate cold brew experience.

Beat the Heat, One Outfit At A Time

Your wardrobe can make or break your summer cool. When the temperature soars, light and breathable fabrics are your best bet. Cotton, linen, bamboo, and hemp keep things airy, while loose-fitting clothes help your skin breathe. Throw in some UPF-rated pieces for sun protection, and you’re all set to take on the heat in style.

Level up your summer drip with the ultimate hot-but-not-sweaty accessories—think wide-brim hats, cool shades, breezy summer coats, and even heat-protection gloves. And let’s be real, sunscreen isn’t optional—it’s a survival essential.

Add a sprinkle of sustainability to your eco-chic summer style—serve looks, not landfills! Thrift it, borrow it, swap it—whatever keeps your style fresh and the planet happy. Ditch the synthetic fast fashion FOMO, rock eco-chic vibes, and let’s give the heat an eco-friendly mic drop.

GP Recommends:

• Turn Around: A charity organization that blends eco-conscious shopping with flair and purpose.
• Atulyakala: An inclusive space where creativity and talent shine beyond hearing barriers.

Sweat Smart: Beat The Heat

Summer workouts don’t have to feel like a battle against the sun. Time it right — you can start early before the sun cranks up or wait for the evening breeze to roll in. Pick a workout that keeps you cool – dive into a pool for an instant refresh, cycle through tree-lined paths, or take a slow hike that won’t leave you drenched. Work on your inner self – Roll out your yoga mat under a tree, let a chill playlist set the vibe, or unwind with tunes that soothe your body and mind.

Make your summer workouts a perfect mix of cool vibes and eco-friendly gains. Rock workout fits made from recycled fabrics, keep a reusable water bottle on deck to stay hydrated, and whip up a DIY electrolyte drink or sip on some cooling herbal tea for post-workout recovery. Every little flex counts, so stay fit, beat the heat, and move smarter, not sweatier.

GP Recommends:

• The Space Fitness: A place where fitness meets community and well-being.

Sun-Soaked Escape Without Leaving A Footprint

Betty Williams had it right: “When all else fails, take a vacation.” And what better time than summer to ditch the city chaos and swap it for some serious chill? This endless summer vibe calls for an escape to a retreat where the only thing heating up is your excitement! Think less concrete, more coastline; less air conditioning, more fresh mountain air; less traffic jams, more tranquil trails; less screen time, more sunset views. Let nature be your summer destination to find your inner zen because nothing beats the heat like fresh air, ice-cold coconut, a breezy linen outfit, and a nap in the shade.

Make your vacation sustainable by travelling responsibly, staying in eco-lodges, savoring fresh local food, and exploring on foot, bike, or even kayak. Whether it’s a hammock nap under swaying palms or a refreshing dip in a mountain stream, a sustainable getaway keeps you cool—without costing the planet. And the best part? It doesn’t have to break the bank. 

GP Recommends:

• Aaransh Nilaya: An eco-friendly, budget-friendly escape in Mangalore, a coastal gem in Karnataka.

Stay Frosty Without Frying The Planet

Nothing screams summer survival like fans on full blast, coolers running overtime, dehumidifiers battling the sticky air, and ACs working harder than your WiFi. But here’s the catch—if your appliances aren’t energy-efficient, you’re cooling your room while heating up the planet. It’s time to upgrade! Pick high-rated energy-efficient fans, smart ACs, and air coolers with eco-friendly tech. And remember, less is more! Running ACs for the hottest couple of hours instead of all day, turning off fans when you leave the room, and giving your cooler a break can cut down the energy use.

Sustainable cooling starts with smart choices—open curtains for fresh air, close them by noon, let good old khus curtains add a natural, fragrant breeze, and use blackout curtains and bamboo blinds to keep things cool and comfy. Maximize cross-ventilation, swap heavy rugs for airy cotton ones, turn off unnecessary lights (make every hour Earth Hour!), and switch to LEDs to keep things cool without cranking up the energy bill.

GP Recommends:

• Ambiator: Delivering sustainable cooling and fresh air to residential, industrial, commercial, and institutional spaces.

Keeping It Cool & Conscious This Summer

Summer’s got its own agenda, but who says you can’t outsmart it in style? From rocking breathable, thrifted fits to sipping on hydrating mocktails and lounging under upcycled bamboo blinds, there’s always a way to keep it cool without costing the earth. Sustainability isn’t just a trend; it’s the ultimate flex. So, this summer, stay stylish, stay chill, and let’s not turn it into an environmental oops.

From fashion to food, go green this summer! Find your eco-inspo at Green Pistachio. Share with us your ultimate eco-friendly tip for staying cool this summer while keeping it sustainable, and join us to make sustainability the coolest trend of the season!