16 Adorable Animals Show You How To Keep Cool In Record-Breaking Heat

The U.S. may be seeing its hottest summer of all time. Washington, D.C. has been suffering in over 95 degree weather for eight straight days, and will probably continue to overheat until Sunday. New York City will likely hit around 100 degrees on Saturday, but it will feel more like 106 from humidity. According to a July report, 56% of the continental U.S. is experiencing drought. 

The heat, along with storms like last Friday’s derecho that hit Chicago to the East Coast, may cause power outages and make the heat even more unbearable. 

How should you keep cool? These animals show you the best ways to stay cool on a hot, hot day.

1) Close your blinds.

Curiosity killed the cat.

2) Open your windows tonight.

Opening windows at night will let in cool air.

Televisions generate heat in your home.

Five more minutes.

No soup, unless it’s gazpacho.

6) Drink tons of water.

This is a no-brainer. Drink at least eight ounces of water each hour. (Bonus: Add mint leaves, orange or lemon peels, and cucumber slices).

7) Swim in tons of water.

This elephant is having the best day ever. 

See, humans don't get it.

Or sleep in one.

Look how cool he looks.

By protecting your skin from the sun beating down, you’ll shade yourself. 

12) Eat cold treats like ice cream and popsicles. Freeze chopped watermelon, pineapples, or melons.

Your diet starts tomorrow.

What does a dog have to do to get a glass of milk around here?

Heat rises, but you don’t have to. 

16) Whatever you do, don’t drink alcohol.

Alcohol dehydrates you. A cold beer will not keep you cool for long.