As temperatures soar across the UK, there's a simple cooling hack that could help lower your body heat in moments12:27, 26 May 2026As scorching temperatures grip the country, countless Brits are frantically seeking reliable ways to stay cool. Resist the urge to leap into an ice-cold shower - which experts caution can actually backfire - immediate relief can be found by using your body's natural cooling mechanism through targeting particular zones known as pulse points.‌These crucial 'hot spots' are where major arteries pass nearest to the skin's surface, allowing swift heat exchange. Applying cold water or a compress to these locations is a scientifically proven 'heat stress hack' that can reduce your core body temperature more rapidly than numerous other approaches.‌According to the British Red Cross, you can swiftly cool yourself down by placing your hands and feet in cold water. "Wrists and ankles have lots of pulse points where blood vessels are close to the skin, so you will cool down more quickly", it states on its website.‌Your body instinctively attempts to control its temperature, just as a car engine or a fridge uses a liquid coolant system. When you become hot, your body initiates a process called vasodilation, in which the blood vessels near the skin widen, boosting blood flow to the surface, where heat can be dispersed into the air.Circulating blood acts as the body's natural cooling mechanism, drawing heat away from warm muscles and transporting it to the skin for release. Pulse points are amongst the most effective locations to influence this process, as the blood vessels sit close to the surface, enabling you to cool the blood directly.‌When you place a cold compress or water on these areas, the temperature of the blood flowing through those vessels is instantly reduced. This cooler blood then travels back through your system, absorbing heat and bringing down your core temperature. By targeting these points, you efficiently dissipate heat and help sustain a stable, lower core temperature, according to the Express.Where should you apply the cold water?For maximum benefit, concentrate on the areas where the pulse is strongest and the vessels are closest to the skin. These key pulse points include:Neck: Specifically, the sides and the nape of the neck.Wrists: An easy and convenient place to cool, often used by simply running cold water over them.Underarms: A highly effective major blood vessel area.Groin: Another area adjacent to major blood vessels.Temples and forehead: Popular spots for applying a cool compress to quickly relieve heat.Behind the knees or elbows: Other areas where blood vessels are close to the skin’s surface‌Research has also demonstrated multiple advantages of splashing cold water on the face, as it stimulates the trigeminal nerve. This triggers the mammalian dive reflex, compelling your parasympathetic nervous system to activate, which can instantly slow your heart rate and alleviate acute stress.What is the best way to apply cold water?Cold compresses or ice packs: Apply ice packs, cold compresses, or even a chilled sock filled with rice—which holds cold for longer than ice—to your wrists, neck, or temples.Evaporative cooling: This method, which involves continuously applying cold water to the skin with a sponge or spray bottle while directing a fan at the body, is highly efficient and accelerates cooling through evaporation.‌You could also use wet towels, evaporative cooling gear, or a simple splash of cold water. For general cooling, take a lukewarm shower and run the water over your pulse points for a longer time.Using ice-cold water is frequently advised against, as the sudden shock can trigger vasoconstriction — narrowing the blood vessels — which actually reduces heat loss and traps warmth deeper within the body, potentially leaving you feeling even hotter afterwards.While cooling pulse points provides immediate and refreshing relief, it is worth bearing in mind that for more serious conditions such as heat-related illness or heat stroke, applying cold cloths or ice packs to the head, neck, armpits, and groin should be combined with urgent medical attention and, where possible, full body cooling.Article continues belowAlways make hydration your priority by drinking plenty of water to help regulate your body temperature and replenish fluids lost through sweating. Combining pulse-point cooling with sensible hydration remains the most straightforward and effective way to tackle the sweltering summer heat.