Blog 70: Feeling Hot! Hot! Hot!

Hi there. Are you all baking nicely like sausages on a barbeque? It has been so hot here that I have had more water coming off me than Niagara Falls! You know the sun is out when blokes around here walk about topless, and the neighbours at the back get their blow-up pool out. Yep, it’s so very hot that trying to do anything work related is hard going, especially here in the UK where we don’t have AC in our homes. So, writing a blog that makes any kind of sense when my brain is being slowly cooked, and will probably be ready to eat for dinner on Sunday by the way, is a bit of a tall order. And I’m so short, I can’t reach that high.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m only half complaining because the temperature will start coming down soon and I do like to make the most of this sunshine. But if you want to continue to create magic with your writing then you’re gonna need to look after yourself. People who pass out from extreme heat seem to have difficulty using keyboards and pens. Something about them being crashed out on the floor, but anyway, there are some things we need to make sure we do.  Can you guess what I’m gonna write about yet? If you can’t, go back to the beginning and start again. The heat is making you lose focus. Or just leave it and grab an ice-cream – I would!

But if you are still with me, you brave soul, here are a few suggestions to help keep you going during these high temps: -

1.     Stay hydrated.

If you’re like me and your limbs have turned into not very attractive water features, then you are going to have to replace that lost moisture in your body. Remember, we are about 75% water, so it’s so important to keep our hydration up. The best thing you can have is plain old water, get some ice cubes in there and get it down you. Drink often. Today I’ve been tempted to wear it as well as drink it, but I have held off so far. Of course, you can also grab an ice-cream or ice lolly to help cool you down and boost your mood.

2.     Try to stay cool

There are several options here: -

• Whip out that ancient fan that you’ve been using for, well you can’t remember how long it is now, but it still works. Even though it’s making a strange grinding noise. But aren’t we all? If you are lucky, you will have more than one. Apparently aiming them directly at yourself can cause dehydration so be careful.

• You can go one further and freeze a bottle of water and place it in front of your fan to make a DIY AC unit. But make sure you put the bottle in a tub of some sort to catch the condensation. We used this last night, and it did make it more comfortable. The cat liked it too. As I found out when he put his very warm fluffy tail over my legs.

• Open your windows. We have all of ours open at the moment to let the air flow through the house. Apparently opening them in the morning and at night when the air is cooler is the best time.

• Close your curtains or blinds to create some shade from the sun rays coming through the windows.

• Fill up and freeze an old hot water bottle to hold onto to keep you cool. But make sure not to try and use it as a hot water bottle after this as it will damage it.

• Wet a towel and wrap it around your head. You could pretend to be Quaid from Total Recall. Do you remember when he does that to hide the tracking signal and then pulls it out of his nose? Bet your relieved you don’t have to do that!

• Put your feet in a bowl of cool water. You lose heat from the bottom and top of your body, so cooling your feet and your head is very helpful. Long hair, tie it up out of the way. Don’t worry, you look great!

• Go all in and grab a cold shower. I’m not brave enough for a very cold one but if you are, get in there!

3.     Take breaks

Nope, I don’t want to hear it, you aren’t superhuman. Stop what you’re doing and go have some time out. Your body is hot (wink), but your mind is going to be struggling too. So, step back and let yourself breathe for a bit and unwind.

4.     Plants

If you are outside, you can use them for shade but if you have some indoors, they can help to cool the room.

5.     Reduce electricity use

Electric appliances all create heat, so turn off anything that you don’t need on, such as lights and other things you aren’t using. You could try cooking at a cooler time of the day to avoid making things even hotter. Or eat something cold for meals, like a salad or make a sandwich.

6.     Relocate

Sack it off and go find a colder place to live. Okay I’m joking. You may find other rooms are cooler. So, take your gear and move downstairs or to a better ventilated room or one that isn’t facing the sun.

7.     Get out

It can be good to get out of the house or workplace for a bit to get some air, if you can find any. Pop out for a swim at your local pool or even if you go to the shop, it will have AC going and give you some relief. But don’t strip off and run around naked. I know it’s tempting but they don’t let you shop there anymore if you do that. Don’t forget to get suncream on when you go out and a sunhat, keep to the shade in peak times of the day and don’t be out in that sun for too long. Take water with you or make sure you can get to some. Wear light, loose clothing to let your skin breathe. And pop some shades on, you look awesome! Avoid being in the sun during 11am and 3pm as this is the hottest period of the day.

8.     Avoid caffeine, alcohol and strenuous exercise

Especially at the peak hot hours of the day as this will increase your chances of dehydrating.

Feeling crazy?

Other options are to get a buddy and take turns firing the garden hose or water guns at each other, do the ice bucket challenge or stick your head into the fridge for the day. If all else fails do a rain dance in your garden to see if you can bring in some clouds. But don’t take them all, we need some here too!

Whatever you decide to do, stay safe and be kind to yourself. Nice tan by the way!

Catch you next time when I shall hopefully have a brain that is more geared to give you writing advice. Until then, stay cool.