This European heatwave has been going on for weeks and shows no signs of abating. It’s really wearing me down. Any tips for staying cool when you don’t have air conditioning? I’ve tried the whole shutting the windows and blinds thing they recommend but that just makes it worse. I already feel uncomfortably hot at the best of times as a side effect of my medication. So an actual heatwave on top is literal torture. It’s so bad in the UK that supermarket refrigerators have stopped working due to the heat, and the news says its going to be the longest heatwave in 50 years.

  • insurgentrat [she/her, it/its]@hexbear.netEnglish
    18·
    3 days ago

    Aussie here, didn’t have aircon till recently.

    • Open house at night, doors if you can (i.e. it’s safe), get a cross breeze going. Ceiling fans or range hoods that vent outside or in roof space can help pull air through.

    • Close the house at the arse end of dawn. Draw curtains over windows facing the sun. Shading them outside is ideal, or pinning reflective mylar over them on the outside.

    • Stay hydrated. You want to sweat, and you need water.

    • wet your body where arteries run near the surface, front sides of neck, back of the skull, groin, armpits.

    • Sweat needs airflow. Dress in light natural fabric, use fans. Even fanning yourself with a lid can make a huge difference.

    • Keep the sun off ya. Hat, long light sleeves, long light pants. Think about how desert peoples dress. Naked is fine inside lol.

    • Cold showers are nice.

    • The elites don’t want you to know this but you can put your pajamas or bedsheets in the freezer. Ice packs in bed are nice too. You can drop the temp (but raise humidity) with a fine mist of water from a spraybottle.

    • You’re allowed to sleep outdoors if you have the room.

    • Sleeping on the floor will be cooler than a raised bed.

    • if out and about parasols (or large umbrellas) are awesome for shading you