Traditional habits offer practical answers to extreme heat
Berlin, Germany | June 2026
As Europe faces another season of intense heat, countries outside the continent are drawing renewed attention for the practical, cultural and sometimes surprising ways they have learned to live with high temperatures. From cooling neckties in Japan to ultraviolet-protection face masks in China, many societies have developed everyday strategies that go beyond air conditioning and short-term emergency responses. These practices reflect a broader reality: in regions where heat has long shaped daily life, adaptation is not only technological, but also cultural, architectural and behavioral.
Japan has become one of the most creative examples of personal heat adaptation. Instead of simply removing formal clothing during hot weather, some workers use cooling ties designed with gel inserts or cold pads that help lower the temperature around the neck. This approach is based on a simple physiological principle: cooling areas such as the neck, wrists, armpits and groin can help reduce the body’s perception of heat because major blood vessels run close to the skin in those zones.
Neck coolers, damp towels and traditional cotton cloths known as tenugui are also common in Japan during summer. These items can be moistened and worn discreetly under clothing, around the neck or beneath hats, helping the body manage heat through evaporation. While such habits may appear unusual to people in colder countries, they are practical responses to humid summers and urban heat stress.
China has also developed highly visible forms of protection against extreme sun exposure. In recent years, ultraviolet-protection masks and the so-called facekini have become more common, especially among people seeking to protect the skin from strong solar radiation. Originally associated with coastal areas such as Qingdao, the facekini has evolved into lighter daily-use masks made with breathable technical fabrics, often offering high ultraviolet protection.
These Chinese practices show that heat adaptation is not only about comfort, but also about health, skin care and cultural ideas of protection. Large hats, light scarves, portable fans and breathable clothing are part of a broader set of daily habits designed to reduce exposure to sun and heat. In some regions, warm or lukewarm drinks are also preferred during hot weather, reflecting traditional medical beliefs and the idea that controlled sweating can support the body’s natural cooling process.
Beyond East Asia, other regions rely heavily on passive cooling methods rooted in architecture and local climate knowledge. In parts of the southwestern United States, traditional Navajo and Pueblo construction uses thick earthen walls, small windows, overhangs and shaded porches to stabilize indoor temperatures. These structures can remain comparatively cooler in summer because their materials store and release heat slowly.
Mexico offers another example of practical heat adaptation through clothing, housing and daily rhythm. Lightweight cotton garments, loose-fitting clothing, adobe walls and interior patios help reduce the impact of heat in many communities. The midday pause, or siesta, also reflects a long-standing adjustment to the hottest hours of the day, allowing people to shift activity toward cooler periods.
In Egypt, traditional wind towers known as malqaf channel cooler outside air into homes, while courtyards with water and vegetation help reduce local temperatures through evaporative cooling. The use of wet cloths near windows follows the same physical principle: as water evaporates, it draws heat from the surrounding air, creating a cooling effect without relying on complex technology.
India also preserves traditional methods based on evaporation and breathable materials. Unglazed clay water pots can cool drinking water naturally, while wet jute curtains, cotton fabrics and light clothing help regulate indoor and body temperature. Drinks made with yogurt, buttermilk or tamarind are also valued because they provide hydration while helping replenish minerals lost through sweating.
The contrast between Europe and many hotter regions is not a matter of better or worse solutions, but of historical adaptation. In Europe, where extreme heat was once less central to daily life, responses have often focused on short-term technical measures. In other parts of the world, heat management is built into homes, clothing, food, work schedules and public behavior.
As climate change intensifies heatwaves across the world, these practices are becoming increasingly relevant beyond their original cultural contexts. Simple tools such as shade, ventilation, water evaporation, breathable fabrics and targeted body cooling may become essential parts of future public health strategies. The lesson is clear: adapting to heat requires more than machines; it also requires learning from communities that have lived with extreme temperatures for generations.
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