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Woman Who Has Lived In Spain And Australia Shares Useful Tips On How To Survive A Heatwave And They Go Viral
Summer is many people’s favorite time of the year. A whole season of long days to pack in as many barbecues, trips to the lake and nights around a campfire as possible. Watermelons are juicier and sweeter than ever, and you might even get to take a week off from work to enjoy a trip. But along with all of the perks of the summer season comes the dreaded hot weather. Some countries live for the heat, if their residents find themselves wearing sweaters for more than half of the year. But for those of us who are not accustomed to warm weather or simply despise it, we can probably learn a thing or to about how to manage without burning to a crisp.
Earlier this week, author N J Simmonds tweeted out her best tips for surviving in the summer heat, and we wanted to share them with all of you. Below, you can read all of her recommendations, as well as some of the replies her viral Twitter thread has received, and maybe they will help you become a slightly less sweaty panda. So grab a popsicle, blast that fan towards your face, and enjoy this article. Then if you’re looking for even more tips for surviving a heatwave with your sanity in tact, check out this Bored Panda piece next.
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In light of the heat wave currently striking the UK, author N J Simmonds recently shared her best tips for keeping cool in the summer
Image credits: Hans Reniers (not the actual photo)
Image credits: NJSimmondsbooks
Image credits: NJSimmondsbooks
Image credits: NJSimmondsbooks
Image credits: NJSimmondsbooks
Image credits: NJSimmondsbooks
Image credits: NJSimmondsbooks
Image credits: NJSimmondsbooks
Image credits: NJSimmondsbooks
Image credits: NJSimmondsbooks
Image credits: NJSimmondsbooks
Image credits: NJSimmondsbooks
Image credits: NJSimmondsbooks
Image credits: NJSimmondsbooks
Image credits: NJSimmondsbooks
Image credits: NJSimmondsbooks
For people that have always lived in warm climates, these tips might seem like second nature. But some people that have never had to consider buying an air conditioner or doing much more than opening the windows in the summer might suddenly be feeling hotter than they have ever been. Currently, the UK is bracing for one of the worst heat waves they have ever had. According to the Royal Meteorological Society, “Temperatures in the UK have never reached 40 C (or 104 F) since records began. But at the end of June 2022, for the first time ever, weather forecast models started to show it as a possibility for mid-July.”
She also highlighted some of the most helpful replies from readers
Image credits: NJSimmondsbooks
Image credits: NJSimmondsbooks
Image credits: NJSimmondsbooks
If you are from Texas or Spain, you might be laughing at how concerned Brits are about this heat wave. Sure, they’ll be uncomfortable for a few days, but it’s not like they experience temperatures like this for months every year. But what is more concerning than the fact that many people are unprepared for this weather is the fact that climate change is only getting worse and worse. The highest temperature ever recorded in the UK (38.7 C) happened only 3 years ago, but they might set a new record soon. And this is happening all over the world. During the summer of 2021, Death Valley in California broke the record for the highest temperature ever recorded on the planet, at 54.4 C (or 130 F).
Many chimed in with the best advice they’ve learned from spending time in warm climates
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We can all manage being a little sweatier or more uncomfortable than usual this summer, but the frightening reality is that this summer might be the new normal. With global temperatures rising, even countries like the UK might need to get used to following all of these tips to keep cool. Thankfully, there are experts out there like N J to help people from cooler climates navigate these brutal heat waves. Let us know in the comments how you feel about this crazy heat, and if you know any other pointers for keeping cool in the summer, feel free to share them with your fellow pandas.
Others commented that they appreciated the thread and shared how they feel about the heat
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What do you think ?
Grillick 3 years ago
Swamp coolers, and the like, are OK in dry climates but are counter productive in humid ones.
April Stephens 3 years ago
I'm off to fact check "cold drinks are bad for your throat" and "gulping water doesn't hydrate you."
Gwyn 3 years ago (edited)
Running coaches advise runners to drink cold drinks - and even before hot races, you can precool yourself by drinking cold drinks. It does help cool you down. Your body temperature rises during exercise and when it's hot and you have no AC it's a similar problem, you need to keep down the body temperature. I live in AZ. When I go running when it's hot out I put ice water in my hydration pack and I can run so much longer and more comfortably. It works.
Load More Replies...
Ozacoter 3 years ago (edited)
I need to disagree with the cold showers. They make you warmer in the long term because your capilars close and you loose less heat. The best is room temperature showers so you dont get hot but your capillars remain big and release more heat. One great thing is wearing wet socks. I know, it sounds gross but it cools you down immensely. Your feet get really hot and if they are cooler you feel really much better. So when you are in the sofa or in bed get some small socks and soak them in water. The evaporation will cool you down a lot. Plus if you put them in front of a fan. Just dont touch electronics...
RenaMoonlight 3 years ago (edited)
A bunch of things mentioned in that Twitter thread are scientifically incorrect. The cold showers / not showering hot is one of them, the no hot food and no hot drinks another one. Does a cold shower feel good? Certainly, but the effects are very short term, and the you'll just be left with a worse regulated body temperature. I heard switching between hot and cold water can help with circulation.
Load More Replies...
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
Lived down south (US) for a few decades, where it gets hot AND oppressively humid in summer, so here are some tips. Open the windows at night and keep them open in the cool of the morning, but close the drapes once the heat starts (between 9 and 11 am). You can keep the windows open for airflow from the occasional breeze, but heavier drapes will absorb and block the heat, and having your home shaded will keep it relatively cool. Also, I hope you have shade trees close enough to your house to block direct sunlight. Older homes in the American south have shade trees all around them (not evergreens, you want shade trees full in summer and bare in winter), plus a central hallway with doors at both ends. Opening both doors creates airflow down that hallway, which can also flow into rooms on either side. They were also smart about keeping their kitchens separate from the main house, not only to keep it cool, but also because of fire hazards. Run as many fans as you can! You can stand it being hot as long as you’re dry, and not drowning in sweat. Take baths or showers that are as cold as you can stand, making sure you submerge or direct cold water on to all areas where humans lose heat, like the top of your head, plus anywhere you have folds of skin (even if you’re skinny, you have folds). If you have a portable fan, turn it on and direct it into the bathroom, to help you dry off faster. Powder. Powder. Powder. Invest in good strong anti-perspirant. Wear light cotton wherever possible. Spend time in air conditioned places, like libraries, malls, and movie theatres. Don’t use your oven. Save your money and invest in at least one window or room air conditioner for next year, because summers are only going to get hotter and more unbearable if we don’t start aggressively addressing climate change.
Jihana 3 years ago
My additional tips: 1) Cooling towels, they are made from a specific kind of fabric, I guess with a very large surface area. You wet them and wave them around a little, they instantly cool down because of the evaporation. They won't stay cool long and dry relatively fast, but it's enough to keep you alive during your commute in an overcrowded train. 2) Cooling blankets. I don't know what kind of unholy magic they are, but they work. You actually feel cooler with the blanket than without any blanket at all. Definitely the best find of 2022, don't know how I survived without it all those years.
DuchessDegu 3 years ago
The cooling blanket is my best friend, it really works. If it gets too hot just shake it and it's cool again, it's witchcraft indeed
Load More Replies...
Jknbt 3 years ago
if some idiot leaves their baby in the front seat of a locked car in the parking lot while they run into the store "just for a minute", take immediate action. Do not wait for the idiot to come back out. This is especially true if the child is in obvious distress. Find a large cinder block or axe & break out the window opposite the child. Open doors & rescue child. Call the police, this is felony child abuse and call for an ambulance... Do something to cool the child down until the ambulance arrives. If the idiot throws a tantrum because you broke their window, punch their lights out. Several children die from abuse like this every year. Don't be so polite that you do nothing & the child dies...
Marilyn Russell 3 years ago
It is terrible. And pets die needlessly too. I wouldn’t hesitate to grab that cinder block for either.
Load More Replies...
Kate 3 years ago
Close windows and curtains on the sunny side of the house, open the ones on the shaded side. Adjust as needed. Take your standing fan and put it directly in front of the window, facing OUT. Drink water and sports drinks. And yes, sip, don't gulp, especially if you're hot and the drink is cold. My qualifications: spent years with a broken a/c in the Southern California desert.
Jess Burgess 3 years ago
Please don't cover your dogs with wet towels to cool them down, it has the complete opposite effect as the towel will trap all the heat coming of the dogs body heating up the towel and making the dog over heat!
Snowfoxrox 3 years ago
We use a hyperkewl vest on our husky mix. it's designed to be applied wet and to provide cooling via evaporation. It works very well.. after 20 mins of exuberant play in 100F weather, her coat was almost cold.
Load More Replies...
Got Myself 4 Pandas 3 years ago
I live in a very old stone house with 2 foot thick walls - downstairs is always nice and cool. I cannot sleep naked though, I hate it, I hate when sticky sweaty skin touches, even if it's just my leg touching my other leg, hate it!
Miss Marmite 3 years ago
cold water on your wrists. the veins are closest to your skin there and it cools you down well
Grillick 3 years ago
Swamp coolers, and the like, are OK in dry climates but are counter productive in humid ones.
April Stephens 3 years ago
I'm off to fact check "cold drinks are bad for your throat" and "gulping water doesn't hydrate you."
Gwyn 3 years ago (edited)
Running coaches advise runners to drink cold drinks - and even before hot races, you can precool yourself by drinking cold drinks. It does help cool you down. Your body temperature rises during exercise and when it's hot and you have no AC it's a similar problem, you need to keep down the body temperature. I live in AZ. When I go running when it's hot out I put ice water in my hydration pack and I can run so much longer and more comfortably. It works.
Load More Replies... Ozacoter 3 years ago (edited)
I need to disagree with the cold showers. They make you warmer in the long term because your capilars close and you loose less heat. The best is room temperature showers so you dont get hot but your capillars remain big and release more heat. One great thing is wearing wet socks. I know, it sounds gross but it cools you down immensely. Your feet get really hot and if they are cooler you feel really much better. So when you are in the sofa or in bed get some small socks and soak them in water. The evaporation will cool you down a lot. Plus if you put them in front of a fan. Just dont touch electronics...
RenaMoonlight 3 years ago (edited)
A bunch of things mentioned in that Twitter thread are scientifically incorrect. The cold showers / not showering hot is one of them, the no hot food and no hot drinks another one. Does a cold shower feel good? Certainly, but the effects are very short term, and the you'll just be left with a worse regulated body temperature. I heard switching between hot and cold water can help with circulation.
Load More Replies... Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
Lived down south (US) for a few decades, where it gets hot AND oppressively humid in summer, so here are some tips. Open the windows at night and keep them open in the cool of the morning, but close the drapes once the heat starts (between 9 and 11 am). You can keep the windows open for airflow from the occasional breeze, but heavier drapes will absorb and block the heat, and having your home shaded will keep it relatively cool. Also, I hope you have shade trees close enough to your house to block direct sunlight. Older homes in the American south have shade trees all around them (not evergreens, you want shade trees full in summer and bare in winter), plus a central hallway with doors at both ends. Opening both doors creates airflow down that hallway, which can also flow into rooms on either side. They were also smart about keeping their kitchens separate from the main house, not only to keep it cool, but also because of fire hazards. Run as many fans as you can! You can stand it being hot as long as you’re dry, and not drowning in sweat. Take baths or showers that are as cold as you can stand, making sure you submerge or direct cold water on to all areas where humans lose heat, like the top of your head, plus anywhere you have folds of skin (even if you’re skinny, you have folds). If you have a portable fan, turn it on and direct it into the bathroom, to help you dry off faster. Powder. Powder. Powder. Invest in good strong anti-perspirant. Wear light cotton wherever possible. Spend time in air conditioned places, like libraries, malls, and movie theatres. Don’t use your oven. Save your money and invest in at least one window or room air conditioner for next year, because summers are only going to get hotter and more unbearable if we don’t start aggressively addressing climate change.
Jihana 3 years ago
My additional tips: 1) Cooling towels, they are made from a specific kind of fabric, I guess with a very large surface area. You wet them and wave them around a little, they instantly cool down because of the evaporation. They won't stay cool long and dry relatively fast, but it's enough to keep you alive during your commute in an overcrowded train. 2) Cooling blankets. I don't know what kind of unholy magic they are, but they work. You actually feel cooler with the blanket than without any blanket at all. Definitely the best find of 2022, don't know how I survived without it all those years.
DuchessDegu 3 years ago
The cooling blanket is my best friend, it really works. If it gets too hot just shake it and it's cool again, it's witchcraft indeed
Load More Replies... Jknbt 3 years ago
if some idiot leaves their baby in the front seat of a locked car in the parking lot while they run into the store "just for a minute", take immediate action. Do not wait for the idiot to come back out. This is especially true if the child is in obvious distress. Find a large cinder block or axe & break out the window opposite the child. Open doors & rescue child. Call the police, this is felony child abuse and call for an ambulance... Do something to cool the child down until the ambulance arrives. If the idiot throws a tantrum because you broke their window, punch their lights out. Several children die from abuse like this every year. Don't be so polite that you do nothing & the child dies...
Marilyn Russell 3 years ago
It is terrible. And pets die needlessly too. I wouldn’t hesitate to grab that cinder block for either.
Load More Replies... Kate 3 years ago
Close windows and curtains on the sunny side of the house, open the ones on the shaded side. Adjust as needed. Take your standing fan and put it directly in front of the window, facing OUT. Drink water and sports drinks. And yes, sip, don't gulp, especially if you're hot and the drink is cold. My qualifications: spent years with a broken a/c in the Southern California desert.
Jess Burgess 3 years ago
Please don't cover your dogs with wet towels to cool them down, it has the complete opposite effect as the towel will trap all the heat coming of the dogs body heating up the towel and making the dog over heat!
Snowfoxrox 3 years ago
We use a hyperkewl vest on our husky mix. it's designed to be applied wet and to provide cooling via evaporation. It works very well.. after 20 mins of exuberant play in 100F weather, her coat was almost cold.
Load More Replies... Got Myself 4 Pandas 3 years ago
I live in a very old stone house with 2 foot thick walls - downstairs is always nice and cool. I cannot sleep naked though, I hate it, I hate when sticky sweaty skin touches, even if it's just my leg touching my other leg, hate it!
Miss Marmite 3 years ago
cold water on your wrists. the veins are closest to your skin there and it cools you down well
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