Getting Things Done in the Heat

After a few 90 degree days here in Michigan and some accountability clients struggling with the heat, I decided to ask our southern friends how they deal with the heat.

Cooling Off

When you take your breaks, sit in the shade with your feet in a bowl of cool/cold water … sounds odd, but it really helps!
Drink lots of water.
Find the shade.
Fans with ice sitting in front of them. Or a wet towel on the fan.
Ice water soaked cloth around your neck. Cool water over the wrists.
Always carry water with you when you are outside or running errands.
Get your hair wet. Wear long hair up.
Tepid showers and cool baths help you sleep better at night.
Keep the shades and blinds closed on the sunny side of the house, and run your ceiling fans counter-clockwise, to force air downward. Use oscillating floor fans to circulate air if you don’t have ceiling fans.
Iced tea.
Wear white linen and long sleeves. If you look cooler, often you feel cooler…honest…50+years living in Central Florida…also summer straw hats. Cotton is also better than synthetics.
Float in a pool of water or run through the sprinkler.
Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the refrigerator for a quick refreshing spray to your face after being outdoors.
Chillow pillow cooling pad.
Cool treats like popsicles.

Getting Things Done

Work in the basement as it is usually cool.
Do paper work, clean photos, organize fabric and yarn, or other less “demanding” projects.
Only work outside in the cooler mornings or evenings. Be willing to change your schedule, if possible. Do the heavier types of work and outside work as early as you can or as late as you can. Exercise, laundry, cooking, gardening – anything you can knock off early helps.
Take advantage of cloudy days.
Commit to a siesta in the hottest hours.
Supper is in the crock pot in the early a.m. or a cold plate. Don’t use the oven; use the grill, the microwave, and the top of the stove as much as you can. Cold dinners, like salads with fish or meat, may be an appetizing option, too, especially with an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables. Smaller meals and less heavy meals.
Just work on keeping stuff alive outside, but work mainly inside.
Pace your activity. Start slowly.