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.
fans, preferably ceiling fans but desk fans and standing fans also work. for ceiling fans make sure the fan is spinning the correct way. for desk fans you can do a poor man’s version of water AC and put a thin damp rag (not dripping otherwise the water might damage the fan) on the cage so it blows the air through the rag. it probably only works in dry climates though.
if your building doesn’t trap heat well, open the windows and doors to have air circulation but have your curtains closed to minimise the amount of light entering the building.