#staying cool

hi, I've spent all my life living in parts of the southern US at various levels of humidity, and I'm also heat intolerant due to congenital factors and various meds I'm on.

dealing with intense heat is genuinely awful; it can be scary when your body has to deal with adverse effects, and you have my full sympathy. 🖤

I'm not a healthcare professional in any way, and I know little things can't mitigate the fact that this needs to be addressed on a systemic/infrastructural level. I'm just someone who's had to deal with this most of their life and has a few ways to cope. take what works and ignore what doesn't.

note: I have likely over-explained some things bc that's just how my brain takes in information. I'm not talking down to anyone, I'm trying to make sure I explain everything I would want to know in the same position.

long post incoming, bc I didn't want anyone to miss something useful under a cut. mea culpa.

- I keep a cloth folding hand fan either in my work bag or my day to day bag. a lot of times I bring one of the big festival clack-fans, and just open it quietly (or don't expand it all the way), but smaller ones can also help you cool off before you get overwhelmed. if you've never used one before (lucky 10,000 rule), I keep the center folds of the fan aimed at my face as I flutter it (or flap it if I'm desperate). the SoJourner one I bought years ago has held up really well through being carted around on the daily and thrown into various bags wherever I go:

do I occasionally feel like a decadent fop fanning myself? yeah, but it's better than gritting my teeth in a draftless room.

plus, if enough of us get one, maybe we can bring back fan language to the common parlance? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

- battery-powered fans for purses/bags are also rad, and come in a million configurations. some even have spray bottle attachments so you can gently mist yourself! I just tend to stick with a cloth fan bc if I forget to charge it, I'm not stuck somewhere hating myself, you know?

- of those battery fans, though, I would recommend one that fits around your neck, like so:

a lot of people down here in service jobs/who are on their feet a lot wear them all day, and some of these models have really decent battery life per charge. some can be a smidge loud when they're right next to your face/ears like that, but I find they're immensely helpful and more targeted than just a little pocket model.

- you might check sporting/outdoor supplies stores for things like these cooling neck tubes:

mine doesn't have to be in a freezer to solidify and get cold, just a fridge or even a cooler. so even if I don't have freezer access, like when in a hotel or at an office job, I can still get it back to being useful once it thaws. I used to put mine on the back of my neck from when I left my house for work to when it warmed up, which was a good few hours. it kept me from getting overheated and overwhelmed going from my morning shower to my commute to a humid louisiana 9 AM meeting, so I'm hoping it can help y'all at least a little. putting multiples on your neck will probably also help you cool down quicker, but I find I do pretty well with just one most of the time!

- I've also seen people recommend getting a pack of the instant disposable medical ice packs that usually go in first aid kits, where you just physically crack/break them and they start to turn cold. I've read many only work for 10-15 minutes, but they're small enough to keep in a bag or pocket, so if you travel light, that might be a good option.

- for people with a car, I keep a sun screen in my car to prop against my windshield when I have to leave it sitting for a long time. it feels very 90s mom, but it does make things a little more bearable when you have to go grab groceries and then get in your car for however long it's been sitting there. makes it feel less like an oven, anyway.

for those who might have never used one, the idea is that you put the reflective side towards the glass, and flip down your car's built-in sun visors to keep it in place. the gap part fits around your rearview mirror.

they also sell individual stick-on ones with suction cups for back windows (my mom used to have them for me and my brother when we were small and driving around Texas suburbs in the summer). they also make some that just sit on top of your windshield externally, but I tend to just stick to the ones you put up inside whenever you get out of the car, so no one decides to walk off with it for some? reason??

- cooling bedding and pillowcases do exist, but the good ones were expensive when I bought mine and might be moreso now (thanks to our dipshit fascist president and his impact on the economy/shipping routes). if you have some funds available, I would look into the company Rest; I have a comforter from them I bought a couple years ago that has made a massive difference in my sleep quality in the summers, and it's held up well every week in the wash so far!! I also have some cooling pillowcases from another company for my weird-shaped support pillows, and those also make a huge difference to someone who is basically a furnace when they sleep. you can likely find cheaper options, and those are still worth looking into, but my Rest comforter has been far and away the biggest game changer of everything I have to combat heat.

- ofc we all know one of the main recommendations is to stay hydrated, which should be easier for lots of people given that Emotional Support Waterbottles are a thing now, but I am the worst at remembering that myself. I tend to find that I forget about my water bottle if there's no hint of something to that reminds me on a sensory level 'oh hey you were drinking this, let's have another sip.' For a lot of people that can be cut fruits, cucumber slices, mint sprigs, lemon and lime wedges! the world is your oyster! (but dear god don't put one in your water bottle!!)

if you're like me and your executive function is only so-so on a good day, I tend to top off my mostly-water with a portion of sports drink for the electrolytes (though they make powder flavor packs like Liquid IV for that now) or some American lemonade (the kind with lemon juice/sugar rather than the carbonated kind you get other places). this reminds my brain "oh hey, we were drinking something!" and keeps me intaking fluids more regularly. as long as it's some sort of non-alcoholic liquid, if it gets you to drink it, it'll do. don't forgo drinking entirely bc you think you have to drink straight water only or else it "doesn't count," because diet culture is stupid like that. clear liquids are better for staying cool over a long period of time (as much as I love a brown sugar boba tea), but again, if it's liquid and it's not hot, it'll help some.

- speaking of executive dysfunction, you also want a water bottle that is dishwasher safe and will keep things cold for long periods of time. I have a big-ass 32 oz. (946 mL) insulated hydroflask that I've been toting around for years now, and it's got the drop dents to prove it. I don't put stickers on it bc I want as few obstacles between me and washing it as possible, so I just got it in a color I really like instead. I know they recommend handwashing those, but fuck it, I'm less concerned about a chip in the color than mold in my drinking water.

- if you don't have a dishwasher, then perhaps get a couple of identical water bottles (if you can swing it) so that way if you need to handwash one, another is available for use so you (ideally) don't go without and can rotate between them.

- if you're taking your water bottle with you somewhere, be mindful where it's required to be transparent or even just empty when you walk in. I always make sure I check venue guidelines if I'm lugging mine along with me to a concert or my old city's indoor Pride festival; some places tend to look at you sideways or hassle you if you show up with an opaque bottle that's already full.

- also, little sips over a long period is better than chugging a bunch all at once. if you're hot enough and you drink water/anything too fast, it can just make you feel worse (here read: nauseous).

- not drinking but still water-related: ngl I was not above just sticking my face under a cold tap or standing in a cool shower when the power went out in my apartment in the summers. just make sure there's not so much humidity in the air that you can't naturally dry off, bc from firsthand experience, that just makes things Worse :'D

- I am a goth that grew up Down Here, so I know clothes can be challenging in heat/humidity. a lot of activewear can be cooling/moisture-wicking, but if you're like me and don't like how some of those fabrics feel, stick to as much cotton and linen as possible. if you don't make yourself wear black all the time like I do, stick to light colors, and for any color, stick to loose cuts/silhouettes.

- don't feel shy about showing more skin than you normally would if it's not a total social faux pas (like certain office spaces, formal events, etc). crop tops, tank tops, shorts, skirts: it's worth feeling a little exposed if you can get some air. (just also remember sun screen for your skin's sake!) I hate shorts bc I used to have some noticeable scarring on my legs, and I'm not into dresses/skirts like I used to be for dysphoria reasons, but if it's hot outside, fuck it. so what if I'm pale. so what if things jiggle or I bruise easy. it takes some practice, but if you can tell yourself 'it's more about my body's comfort than how it's perceived', it gets easier to overlook the stupid critical voice you project onto others (who also, lbr, are probably not even looking as closely as you imagine) and just let yourself exist. you could even take an opportunity to get into modifying your own clothes: I have a lot of t-shirts I've altered myself or even just cut the sleeves off that I save for days like these.

- if you're at all worried about being seen being sweaty, remember it's not the end of the world and you are not at all the only one who is; down here we just say we're ✨~glistening~✨. it's just part of life.

- if your workplace is more formal in their dress (and many are), I stuck to sleeveless tops under blazers made of linen or cotton, patterned hawaiian shirts, linen wide-legged pants, and avoided polyester as much as I possibly could.

- be careful with mesh/fishnet: I know first thought is "holes = airflow" but as a very heat-sensitive person, sometimes my sweat would just end up sticking to the fabric/threads and making me feel Even More Gross. you need some room between you and your skin for the air to effectively cool you.

- I tend to keep my hair long for gender reasons, and it's fairly straight, so if you have a similar hair type: trust me when I say the spiral hair ties that look like old-fashioned telephone cords can be lifesavers. my hair rarely ever slips out of these, I don't really lose my hair ties as often as I used to, and as a bonus it's a fun texture thing to fidget with when I've just got it on my wrist.

- if sandals are a no-go where you live/work, try canvas shoes instead of leather if your office/event dress code will allow. if you can get some of those sole inserts that allow you to go sockless by wicking sweat, that will also take a layer of fabric off your feet (mine tend to get warm quickly due to how I process heat in my body).

- wide-brimmed hats will keep you cooler and look very mysterious if you wear them the right way. 🧙I'm not usually a hat person myself, but the times I've walked out with something between my head and the sun, it has admittedly helped. plus, more sun protection for your face!

- carrying an umbrella or parasol is definitely something I also did when my walks to grad seminars/work were across large areas of concrete/asphalt. just be mindful of color: I once got one of those silver ones that was supposed to reflect the sun off me, but bc the underside was still black, it just air-fried me instead :'D my regular black ones were usually fine for these walks, but I recommend also conferring with sources from people who use parasols more regularly, as I imagine there's more science to it that I've missed out on.

- it's worth pointing out as a whole that I have most of the above cooling items in black to go with my clothes; most people at my old job thought my neck tubes were just a funky necklace and didn't really question it, and they considered my cloth fan one of my ~quirks~ (that I usually actually got compliments on, tbh!). it really does help to look at these like personal/outfit accessories rather than "ugh here's this thing I need to survive stupid rich guy-caused climate change," because unsurprisingly, if you actually get preventative objects/measures close to your own look/in colors you actually like, it's easier to incorporate them into your everyday use. the focus shouldn't be on aesthetics here, of course, but picking something that you don't hate using will mean you do actually use it more.

- in an inverse of when the power goes out in the winter and I'm trying to stay warm, you might consider moving everything you'll need into one room so you don't have to keep getting up and getting things when your place is too damn hot. if when you're first settling in for a foreseeable long sit, you can keep things you need for work/entertainment clustered in the room where you feel coolest, it'll help you keep your temperature more consistent. it's not much, but it's something. if your house is holding heat, you definitely want to get up and move as little as possible.

- in terms of rooms, closer to ground level is normally cooler since heat rises and all. I live in a basement room right now and it's the coolest one I've ever had, temperature-wise, so if you have the option to hang out in a room in a lower part of your dwelling (and it's not 'common space' where you face hostility from other housemates, ofc), take it.

- also be mindful of window placement. my living room window in the second story apartment I just moved out of faced west, and would often catch direct sun exposure around noon to 2 PM. I always made sure my blinds were closed when I left for work in the summer to avoid my apartment heating up while I was gone (as much as closed blinds annoyed my cat, bless his fuzzy soul). I had a neighbor of mine go beyond blinds alone and just put up a cardboard panel that blocked his entire bedroom window, since he had sunlight targeted there from 4 PM until sunset. keeping light out or blocking windows feels counterintuitive, but if you can use another window for airflow and keep sunlight from warming your place in the afternoons, it helps.

- honest to god if you have ice: if you set a bowl of ice water in front of an electric fan, it'll make some difference. Idk for how long, but it's better than nothing.

- likewise, box fans in an open window, facing you? also immensely helpful. this was how I cooled my room down when I lived in "historic" (read: no A/C) dorm in college.

- if you do start feeling overheated, get something cold (even if it's just wet washcloths) on the back of your neck and on your wrists. get your hair away from your neck if it's long enough. take deep, slow breaths to stay calm (getting anxious makes it worse somehow, I know firsthand), and sip water (or another clear beverage, but water really is best here) slowly. if you're outside you know to go sit in the shade, but if you're indoors and it's feasible, sit or lay on the floor. as we know, heat rises, so floors often feel cooler (esp. if they're not carpet), and it'll hopefully help you feel more solid/grounded and make it easier to stay calm. your brain also thinks dark = cool, so turn off the lights if you have control over those, and if not, either find a room with fewer/no windows, or take turns with one of the wet washcloths between holding it to your wrists and keeping it over your eyes like a blindfold. (I know the one on the back of your neck is closer, but I would focus more on keeping that area consistently cool.)

this is everything I can think of that I use for now, and anyone is welcome to add on (especially for perspectives I am limited in, like different hair types or religious clothing expectations, etc). summers can be rough, and I probably only have made it as long as I have because our buildings were made for airflow or air con adoption later on. I can only imagine what it's like to deal with high temperatures in buildings made to conserve heat. D:

just know that you're not alone, and anyone who tries to tease you or tell you it can't be that bad are just thoughtless and self-centered. you're doing the best you can.

Still too hot - 97°F/36°C again - so I started a little (more) research on keeping cooler during the heat.

Running the A/C: keep an eye on the outside temperature. In the morning, once it passes 78°F/25°C (or wherever you have your A/C set) going up, close all the windows and blinds, and turn the A/C on. In the evening, once the outside temp passes 78°F/25°C (or wherever you have it set) going down, turn off the A/C and open the windows and blinds again.

Stay low - warm air rises. (Maybe I can sleep on my yoga mat if it gets too unbearable?)

However much water you think you’re drinking, drink more. Avoid caffeine, soda pop, and alcohol. Some sites say fruit juice is okay, others say to dilute it.

I saw a lot of articles about how eating hot and spicy food helps you stay cool, but since I am too old and delicate to tolerate hot and spicy food - you guys try it and let me know!

Watermelon, cucumber - fruits and vegetables with a high water content are good.

This is a good time for precooked food, like (if you’re carnivorous) rotisserie chicken. (There are a lot of articles out there about using rotisserie chicken in a more economical manner, too.)

Sandwiches - the ex used to make them with whatever we had around, like sliced mozarrella, apple, avocado, onion, tomato (not all of those together).

As always, popsicles.

XOXO