The Best Ways to Stay Cool
Hot, hot, hot...most to the country is suffering a heat wave. What you need to know to beat the heat.
Welcome, friends, from near and far! If you’re feeling especially generous today, go ahead and hit the ❤️ icon above to spread the love. Because, what the world needs now is…ding ding! You guessed it.
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Summer used to be my favorite season, hands down.
I could withstand the heat with the best of them; eschewing air conditioning with nary a problem, remain outside effortlessly, sans perspiration.
But not so much these days.
I went out for a walk the other day - late in the day - thinking it would be cooler and more tolerable. Surely once the thermometer dropped it would be easier to do my usual 3-4 mile walk.
WRONG.
I cut the walk short, too drained to push on. I returned home, desperate for some air conditioning. Where had my energy gone? Why was I feeling so wrung out??
All this has gotten me thinking: is it me, is it a new type of heat, or is my age making me so intolerant of the rising temperatures?
🥵 Truth: We’re Having a Heat Wave…
As of this writing, maps are showing that about half of the U.S. is under heat advisories. It’s not just me who feels the heat; it’s 168 million other Americans. But are we all suffering similarly??
When you hear about people actually dying from the heat, think about it: Those people are usually older adults. There must be something to that.
✅ Indeed there is…
According to studies, older bodies hold more heat than younger ones. To add insult to injury, sweat glands don’t work as efficiently; the heart is not circulating blood as well, in turn releasing less heat from vessels in the skin.
Having chronic medical conditions - like diabetes, kidney disease, or heart failure - can also interfere with your body’s ability to regulate temperature and balance fluids. And certain medications, especially those that treat some of the aforementioned conditions, can also interfere with your ability to tolerate extreme heat.
Heat can cause more than just discomfort, from heat rash to headache, nausea, vomiting or dizziness.
But oftentimes, feeling hot is not enough of a signal to tell you that you’re in dangerous heat territory. Take heat stroke; the result of exposure to extreme heat or strenuous exercise in that extreme heat. The signs are not subtle: your core body temperature climbs to over 104 degrees, you get confused, suffer seizures or experience other mental status changes. This is serious stuff and requires medical attention. While you’re waiting, take steps to cool yourself off.
I was smart to cut my walk short, head for the comfort of my air-conditioned house, and grab a seat and a cold glass of water on that too-hot day. That’s one thing you should do if you’re showing any signs of heat-related illness: Get thee to a cool environment and hydrate post-haste.
What else…
Remove layers or any restrictive clothing.
Find a shady spot (or get into the water) if you’re outdoors. Going deep and going cold will give you the best bang for your buck.
If you’re indoors, jump into a cold shower or cold bath. Also, turn on a fan; when the air blows on wet skin, it helps sweat evaporate and helps your body cool down in turn.
If you’re feeling sick and really dehydrated, grab a sports drink or salt tablets. This can help restore electrolytes (like sodium, which you need to maintain fluid balance and is lost through sweat).
Interestingly, acclimation makes a difference, and more deaths from heat occur at the start of the summer than at the end. There is something to be said for getting used to the heat.
Acclimation also matters if you’re active in the heat. Research suggests that by gradually increasing your activity over one to two weeks, your body can better adjust to exercising in hot temperatures.
If the temperatures are low(er) but the humidity is high, you’re not out of the woods: heat can be even more dangerous in these conditions. Why? Because sweat evaporates less quickly off your skin, making it harder for your body to cool itself.
More ways to beat the heat…
Close the shades.
Immerse your feet in cold water.
Wrap a cooling neck wrap like these around your neck.
Going outside? Carry an umbrella and/or a spray bottle filled with ice cold water.
Thanks for reading! Hope you are staying cool, and also staying healthy, wellthy and wise. Xo Sheryl
The temperature’s rising…it isn’t surprising. (Hardly!)