Stay Calm and Carry On (the Heat Won't Kill You)
I was listening to the news and I heard it's going to be "dangerously hot." Very hot, yes, but it's only dangerous if you do dumb things.
So a little advice from an Arizona girl:
- absolutely number one - stay hydrated. Don't wait until you are thirsty. Ditto for the kids. Water is your friend.
- do NOT exercise or allow your kids to play outside in the heat of the day. That would be from about noon-6 p.m. The temperature rises and gets the hottest about 3 p.m. and will not cool down until much later. I see these people running at 4 p.m. and think, "mad dogs and Englishmen."
It will not be a better workout and more sweat is not better. It can leave you feel sick, not healthy.
- hats with brims are also your friends. Encourage your children to wear them as well.
- Sunglasses not only look chic/bad-ass/cool but cut glare and make it feel less oppressive.
- sunscreen - use it and reapply if you are sweaty. The spray-on ones are great but you find what works for you.
- Watch those car door handles. They get very hot. If you can leave your car window cracked just a touch, it will help it not become a furnace inside (you get very cranky kids when this happens). Put a towel over your steering wheel.
- Leave dogs alone in cars during a heat wave? No, no and no. Don't even think about it.
- if you are exercising, do breath through your mouth. It just seems less hot than breathing through your nose.
- sleeping - good luck. We don't have air-conditioning here and sleeping in a warm room won't be comfortable but it won't kill you. We used to sleep with the fan on and a cold cloth over our face or neck. It was cool enough to fall asleep before the cloth got warm.
In a month, you'll forget it was ever hot.
So a little advice from an Arizona girl:
- absolutely number one - stay hydrated. Don't wait until you are thirsty. Ditto for the kids. Water is your friend.
- do NOT exercise or allow your kids to play outside in the heat of the day. That would be from about noon-6 p.m. The temperature rises and gets the hottest about 3 p.m. and will not cool down until much later. I see these people running at 4 p.m. and think, "mad dogs and Englishmen."
It will not be a better workout and more sweat is not better. It can leave you feel sick, not healthy.
- hats with brims are also your friends. Encourage your children to wear them as well.
- Sunglasses not only look chic/bad-ass/cool but cut glare and make it feel less oppressive.
- sunscreen - use it and reapply if you are sweaty. The spray-on ones are great but you find what works for you.
- Watch those car door handles. They get very hot. If you can leave your car window cracked just a touch, it will help it not become a furnace inside (you get very cranky kids when this happens). Put a towel over your steering wheel.
- Leave dogs alone in cars during a heat wave? No, no and no. Don't even think about it.
- if you are exercising, do breath through your mouth. It just seems less hot than breathing through your nose.
- sleeping - good luck. We don't have air-conditioning here and sleeping in a warm room won't be comfortable but it won't kill you. We used to sleep with the fan on and a cold cloth over our face or neck. It was cool enough to fall asleep before the cloth got warm.
In a month, you'll forget it was ever hot.
Comments
I lost my mom 10 years ago (I'm now60, so, no offense) but I sure appreciate your "filling in".
And YES, I know I could "poke my eye out" and not to "track mud across the nice clean floor".
All kidding, but this is not: You (and Charlie)are so good and speaking for me, you are very appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ed
Keep a jug filled with water in your freezer; put it in front of your fan—old school AC.
SolvayGirl
Powder yourself like a baby.
Wet socks.
Popsicles.
Linen- don't mind the wrinkles.
Enjoy your ripening tomatoes.
Coconut water.
Read about the Shackelton expedition.
Ivar
Everybody died on "Shackelton"
What are you saying?
(kidding)