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.
Grew up in Florida, our AC broke for at least a week almost every summer.
Most of the tips here are good, especially opening the windows at night with fans pointed out to create a cross breeze, pulling fresh cooler air through the house.
Tip for quick relief, put damp washcloths in the freezer. Apply frosty rag to your forehead and neck. Replace when warm. I would sometimes just spend the peak of the day laying down with cold rags waiting for it to cool down.
Similarly, just hold onto an ice pack. You have a lot of blood vessels in your hands, and any sort of reusable freezer pack can pull a surprising amount of body heat out through your hands.
Frosty rag is a good idea, thanks.