Why are drug names so long and complicated? A pharmacist explains the logic behind the nomenclature

2021 is already shaping up to be a hot year, with warmer than average spring temperatures and hot streaks across much of the continental U.S into June. In May 2021,  there were 947 record warm daily high temperatures recorded across the U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Stacker scoured scientific studies, DIY websites, and even American history to come up with 15 ways to stay cool on warm days without AC.

For anyone not living along the northern edges or mountains of the U.S., the dog days of summer feature weeks—if not months—on end of intolerable heat. Sizzling temperatures have been shown to negatively affect memory, reaction time, productivity, moods, and even suicide rates. One study by Harvard University in 2016 tracked students before and after a heatwave and determined that higher temperatures correlated with decreased cognitive function; another by Stanford University in 2018 studied the links between suicide rates and temperature and ultimately theorized that bumps in temperature from now through the year 2050 may correlate with an added 21,000 deaths from suicide.

For the times we can't be in air conditioning 24/7, there are thankfully many low-cost, energy-efficient ways to cool off during summer heat that work and don't involve sitting in a bath of ice water all day. These tricks can make a difference when your attention is required in a classroom or office setting, or if you're working outside and need relief from the hot sun.

Keep reading to see a simple hack for using skin care products to bring down your core temperature, how hot beverages may actually cool you off, and how to up your use of fans to beat the heat this summer.

You may also like: Song of summer the year you graduated from high school

Despite one's best efforts to reapply sunscreen as directed, being out in the sun all day can still lead to sunburn and skin damage. The medicinal use of aloe vera to help treat skin ailments can be tracked all the way back to the 4th century B.C. The antiseptic aloe vera is ultimately a wonder plant: In skin care applications it acts as a cleanser, astringent, and moisturizer, and it can stimulate the growth of new skin tissue, while also calming the nervous system. For an extra cooling effect, mix water and aloe vera in ice cube trays, and pop them into the freezer for use when needed.

Whether your skincare routine involves multiple products or just one, keeping them in the refrigerator can make for a refreshing reprieve from the heat. Many lotions, serums, sprays, and masks will even keep their potency for longer when kept cold.

There is no better way to heat up a home in the summer than by switching on the oven, burners, or toaster oven. Avoid that entirely by grilling outside, eating out, or switching things up with meals that don't require the stove on the hottest days. Salads, cold sandwiches, cold soups like gazpacho, and nori rolls are all great options for hot days.

A well-placed bandana that's been soaked in cold water will work wonders to cool you off. Be sure to tie it around a major pressure point (ankles, wrists, neck, or elbows) and it can provide an instant chill.

Strategic placement of fans throughout the home can completely change an indoor climate. Window fans pulling in cooler outside air should be positioned on the first floor of the shadiest, coolest side of the home (most likely in a north-facing window). A fan blowing out the window, which will suck warmer air from inside, should be placed on the sunniest, hottest side of the second floor (or same floor if it's a one-story home or apartment). Ceiling fans should be rotating counter-clockwise (from your vantage point below it)—don't forget to reverse this direction during cooler months!

Besides keeping your body hydrated, drinking water helps regulate internal temperatures. Keep your hydration levels topped off throughout the day and evening to ensure heat is being managed most effectively by your most powerful weapon. The American Heart Association recommends drinking water in equal measure to how many ounces of sweat you're expelling—for a high school football player, that can be up to five pounds in one summer practice, or 80 ounces.

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Hot water bottles are built to keep people warm on cold nights, but they can also serve the opposite purpose. Fill your hot water bottle (or a regular water bottle, if that's what you have) with tap water, put it in the freezer for a few hours, and then sleep with the bottle at your feet. Your feet are one of the most temperature-sensitive parts of your body, so keeping them cool will help the rest of your body stay cool.

While a west-facing home may be perfect in winter, it makes cooling the house down in the summer a bit more challenging. Stock up on reusable UV window film to keep the sun's harmful rays out and the cool air in (it will also work to keep your home warm in the winter). Tinfoil and space blankets work great for blocking heat from windows, too, and may save you a few bucks.

Cotton is a great fabric for the summer whether you live in the dry heat of Arizona or humid Florida; this light material allows air to circulate without getting trapped in one place, cooling your body naturally. Other fabrics that can help you fight off the sweat are chambray, rayon, linen, and synthetic blends, and lighter colors are generally cooler than darker colors.

Drinking a lot of water is one way to stay hydrated during the summer, but it can also be done through eating foods that have high water content. This includes fruits and vegetables such as melons, cucumbers, lemons, grapes, leafy greens, and berries. Spicy foods prepared with chili peppers are great coolers as well: the chilis increase circulation and cause perspiration. And while ice cream might seem refreshing in the moment, it will only make you feel warmer in the long run—flavored ice is a good alternative.

It seems counterintuitive, but drinking something hot on a warm, dry day can help to cool a body off. A Thermal Ergonomics Lab study found that drinking a hot beverage increases sweat production, which in turn cools the body off. There's just one caveat—the sweat needs to be able to evaporate in short order. This trick will not work if you're wearing a lot of clothing that can trap sweat or if the scorching day is paired with high humidity.

You may also like: 50 activities to keep children engaged this summer

Strategically opening windows at night when the air is coolest and keeping them closed (with curtains drawn!) during the day is one of the most straightforward ways to keep a home cooler in summer months. This method is most effective if you have adequate insulation in the walls to trap the cooler night air inside. Another window trick is to take advantage of convection: When double-hung windows are open, keep them as such at the top and the bottom. Having the top window cracked allows hot air to escape, while the bottom window being cracked will suck in cooler air from outside.

Plan ahead for hot nights: fold up a top sheet, put it in a bag, and set said bag in the freezer a few hours before bed. When it's time to hit the hay, take the sheet out and lay it on top of you. For a last-minute (slightly messier) iteration of the same technique, before going to bed wet down a top sheet in cold water, wring the sheet out well, and put it over yourself.

In addition to keeping windows closed during the day and open at night, use blackout curtains to trap cool air inside and keep the heat from coming in. They've been said to reduce heat transfer through windows by as much as 24%—that's a lot of degrees when it's sweltering outside.

Pranayama is the practice of breath control—and utilizing it can make you feel noticeably cooler. Two breaths, in particular, that can help are the sitali (“cooling breath”) and sitkari (“sipping” or “hissing”). In the sitali, the mouth is opened into an “O,” and the tongue folded lengthwise into a tube to suck air through. After sticking the curled tongue out almost an inch from the lips, a big breath is drawn in, using the tongue like a drinking straw. This will pull cool air into the diaphragm. After breathing in, the mouth is closed and air slowly exhaled through the nose. The sitkari variation of this breath involves closing the top and bottom teeth together with lips open in a smile. Long, slow breaths are drawn in this position through the teeth and mouth, then the mouth is closed and the breath exhaled slowly through the nose.

The summer of 2022 is already shaping up to be a hot one. According to a recent analysis from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), May 2022 ranks among Earth’s top 10 warmest months on record. In June 2022, there were 1,995 record daily high temperatures broken across the U.S., NOAA's data shows. Stacker scoured scientific studies, DIY websites, and even American history to come up with 15 ways to stay cool on warm days without AC.

For anyone not living along the northern edges or mountains of the U.S., the dog days of summer feature weeks—if not months—on end of intolerable heat. Sizzling temperatures have been shown to negatively affect memory, reaction time, productivity, moods, and even suicide rates. One study by Harvard University in 2016 tracked students before and after a heatwave and determined that higher temperatures correlated with decreased cognitive function; another by Stanford University in 2018 studied the links between suicide rates and temperature and ultimately theorized that bumps in temperature from now through the year 2050 may correlate with an added 21,000 deaths from suicide.

For the times we can't be in air conditioning 24/7, there are thankfully many low-cost, energy-efficient ways to cool off during summer heat that work and don't involve sitting in a bath of ice water all day. These tricks can make a difference when your attention is required in a classroom or office setting, or if you're working outside and need relief from the hot sun.

Keep reading to see a simple hack for using skin care products to bring down your core temperature, how hot beverages may actually cool you off, and how to up your use of fans to beat the heat this summer.

You may also like: Song of summer the year you graduated from high school

Fitness pioneer Jack LaLanne in 1936 opened the first American health club in Oakland, California. The health club had a juice bar and gym complete with equipment LaLanne invented himself, such as the first leg extension machine. “The Jack LaLanne Show,” the first-ever syndicated exercise TV program., followed in 1951. The program would go on to run for more than 30 years in syndication.

Back when LaLanne started, doctors generally advised against lifting weights, reasoning that they were dangerous and did more harm than good. LaLanne was the first person to advise switching up routines every 30 days and was a pioneer in promoting fitness for women. His wellness philosophies effectively spearheaded the American fitness revolution.

As the very idea of “fitness” has evolved dramatically over several decades, so too has the popularity of exercise regimens. Some have laid the foundation for techniques and routines that are still popular today, while others have proven to be little more than fads.

Ro compiled information on major fitness regimens, trends, and activities over the last 70 years to illustrate these developments in the U.S. Research came from news reports, reports from official fitness organizations, and historical texts. While trends do catch on at different times in various parts of the world, this list, including the dates, is geared specifically toward American exercise trends.

From the neon-colored leotards and spandex of Jazzercise to people designing their own home gyms during the COVID-19 pandemic, the forthcoming trends do more than isolate workout styles. They underscore America’s cultural shifts, perceptions of beauty, and breakthroughs in technology.

- Rose to prominence in the 1950s

Yoga is a form of exercise that focuses on breathing, connecting posture to movement sequences, and meditating techniques. While a definitive origin for the practice of yoga is difficult to fully trace, evidence points to the pre-Vedic era (2700 B.C.) in northern India. Much wider development of various forms and disciplines of yoga has taken place over the past 200 years.

Widely credited as a yoga pioneer in America, Richard Hittleman studied in India and began teaching the practice in New York in the 1950s. He introduced yoga to millions of Americans as host of “Yoga for Health,” a television program that presented it as a fitness and spiritual exercise in a non-religious manner. He found widespread success as a guide and author of several bestselling books on yoga techniques, helping the discipline gain wide popularity.

Today, there are numerous yogic practices with their own distinct principles and techniques, employed in health centers and fitness chains across the country. Some of the most popular forms include Hatha yoga, which focuses on posture and breathing, and Vinyasa yoga, which is more vigorous.

- Rose to prominence in the 1960s

While early iterations of this contraption date back to the 1920s—and may resemble someone’s idea of a giant rock polisher—the invention was a hit in the 1960s. The vibrating belt was especially favored among those new to personal fitness, or simply looking for a quick, effortless way to “vibrate the fat away.”

For years, it’s been unclear whether the vibration belt provides the same amount of health benefits as exercise. Early vibration machines in the 1960s had a bulky strap that was supposed to loop around the waist or thighs, or any other part of the body where a person wanted to shed pounds. Users of the product grew skeptical when scientists reported that fat didn’t disappear after vigorous shaking.

Though the fad soon faded, vibrating machines are still around today, usually in the form of a platform that shakes as you stand on vibrating plates. Though it’s still not proven how much fat-burning effect they have, whole-body vibrating machines can be found at some gyms or be purchased to use in the home, though many are geared toward pain relief rather than weight loss.

- Rose to prominence in the 1970s

Aerobics is a type of vigorous exercise that can include brisk walking, running, swimming, or cycling to strengthen the heart and lungs. Dr. Kenneth Cooper published the groundbreaking book “Aerobics” in 1968, in which he defined this new category of fitness. In his research laboratory, Cooper studied the benefits of aerobic exercise and how it may help curb disease and improve a person's overall quality of life.

Since Cooper’s original work, the definition of aerobic exercise has expanded significantly to include mixed cardiovascular routines and, thanks to instructor Jacki Sorensen, aerobic dance routines. Aerobics got even more popular in the early 1980s when actress Jane Fonda released her first workout video, sparking another revolution in at-home fitness.

Today, aerobic and cardio workouts are standard offerings at gyms and health centers.

- Rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s

After Jack LaLanne opened the first modern gym in the 1930s and started charging people to get themselves in shape, other fitness centers such as the YMCA and local boxing clubs followed suit.

One of the legendary gyms that left a lasting impact was founded by American bodybuilder and businessman Joe Gold. In 1965, Gold opened the first Gold’s Gym in Venice, California. Dubbed the “Mecca of Bodybuilding,” the gym featured innovative weight-lifting equipment designed by Gold himself. But the gym’s claim to fame came courtesy of a 1977 documentary called “Pumping Iron” that centered on the world of bodybuilding. Featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno (known for his role as TV’s “The Hulk”), the film cemented the world of bodybuilding—and Gold’s Gym—in American fitness lore. Gold swiftly capitalized on the new exposure, adding the World’s Gym to his empire in 1977.

Today, there are numerous popular gym and workout centers across the U.S., including 24 Hour Fitness, L.A. Fitness, Lifetime Fitness, Anytime Fitness, and (of course) Gold’s Gym.

- Rose to prominence in the 1980s

Jazzercise—a mix of dance, cardio kickboxing, and resistance training—was taught mostly in community spaces such as churches and schools. At its peak popularity in the mid-1980s, the workout method was second only to Domino’s Pizza as the fastest-growing franchise business in the nation.

Jazzercise, which synthesized dance and exercise, was created in the late 1960s by dance instructor Judi Sheppard Missett. Missett’s students were mostly military wives whom she trained to become instructors and own their own Jazzercise franchise studios.

- Rose to prominence in the 1990s

Tae Bo incorporates martial arts, boxing, and a mix of dance moves, as developed by martial artist Billy Blanks in 1976. The workout technique reached millions by the 1990s when VHS tapes were a thing and late-night infomercials were more popular.

The Tae Bo technique, which involves kicks and punches, provides a robust cardiovascular workout that tones muscles and burns calories in high-intensity intervals. In a way, Blanks is a pioneer of working out from home, as he did from his own living room in Tae Bo’s heyday in the '90s. Stay-at-home orders and increased telecommuting due to the COVID-19 pandemic brought on a resurgence of interest in home regimens. Blanks himself is even involved, this time employing Zoom as a way to connect with Tae Bo fanatics.

- Rose to prominence in the 1990s

Spinning, also known as indoor cycling, caught on in the 1990s as an unintimidating mode of working out. The low-impact workout offers the added bonus of bicycling without having to worry about cars, pedestrian traffic, or bad weather.

An instructor is usually present to guide the rider through the workout, with visualization techniques in place. Spinning was introduced by Johnny Goldberg, a South African competitive cyclist who opened his first spinning center in Santa Monica, California, in the late 1980s.

- Rose to prominence in the 2010s

Obstacle-course racing melds traditional run or race (on land or water, or both) with additional activities, or “obstacles,” such as pull-ups, the army crawl (inching along the ground on your elbows with a flat back), a rope climb, and lunges.

One of the most popular obstacle course races is Tough Mudder, a 5k challenge that encourages participants to step outside of their comfort zone with some pretty extreme obstacles. These feats of strength build camaraderie and get athletes out of an otherwise repetitive grind of familiar reps and settings.

- Rose to prominence in the 2010s

In the 1960s, Dr. Yoshira Hatano and his research team tried to figure out a way to combat increasing obesity levels in Japan. Hatano concluded that a person should take 10,000 steps each day to help control weight and achieve optimal fitness.

A pedometer device called a Manpo-kei, which means “10,000-step meter” in Japanese, was soon marketed based on his research. Despite some research suggesting the impact of the 10,000-step axiom is based on faulty science, that hasn’t stopped millions of people from turning to their smartwatches and fitness trackers to monitor the quality of their health by such metrics as heart rate, calorie intake, blood pressure, and respiratory rate—all while still keeping track of their daily steps. Although it rose to popularity in the 2010s, the American College of Sports Medicine identified wearable technology as the top fitness trend of 2022.

- Rose to prominence in the 2020s

The COVID-19 pandemic has played a huge role in many people finding creative ways to stay fit at home. When gym closures began in the spring of 2020, sales of fitness equipment such as dumbbells, treadmills, and roller skates took off.

Connected equipment brands like Tonal, a wall-mounted home gym, reported a 700% year-over-year increase in sales in 2020, and connected bike manufacturer Peloton, despite some recent negative publicity, clocked $758 million in revenue during the same time. The growing popularity of home gyms and on-demand workout programs further prompted the increased download of health and fitness apps such as Mirror and Beachbody On Demand.

As of July 2021, 22% of gyms and studios had closed due to reduced enrollment; further data demonstrated that federal relief programs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic were not aiding local gyms all that much. Although more people are returning to gyms, it’s a safe bet that the convenience of online and at-home fitness may still be appealing, helping it stick around in the years to come.

This story originally appeared on Ro and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.