While it seems that swaths of the US have been suffering a heatwave for weeks now, there’s no question that the next few days are pushing the envelope in terms of extreme temperatures and their potential dangers. So do you know those dangers? And how do you beat the heat?
Do you hibernate? If so, how do you keep from feeling like a caged animal when going outside is less of an option? If not, are you properly protecting yourself? Hydrate!
Stuck Inside?
Since my work, as well as my play, typically revolve around my laptop or iPad, I am not obligated to be in and out in order to commute or to perform my daily activities. That said, after a few days of staying inside, since I am accustomed to walking daily when I can, I feel utterly trapped when weather prevents me from getting out.
I pace. I circle. I pace some more. I really do feel like a caged animal. But…
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are no joke. They can result in severe complications and even death if untreated as this Mayo Clinic article explains.
Untreated heatstroke can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. The damage worsens the longer treatment is delayed, increasing your risk of serious complications or death.
Like I said, no joke. And that’s especially true for children and those of us over age 50.
Learning (About Heat Exhaustion) the Hard Way
My own recent reminder of this was only last week, when one morning, with predictions of the high 90s before noon, I dared to take a brisk walk when it was “only” 83°. However, I had neglected to look at the “feels like” indicator (into the 90s) and air quality (not great!). After 10 minutes of walking, I felt leaden. I turned around and came back. But I paid for those 20 minutes throughout the rest of the day and evening with what I presume was a touch of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
I was lightheaded and slightly dizzy. I was weak and jittery. My breathing was shallow. My heartbeat was rapid. I had a slight headache and felt generally dreadful for the next eight hours, spending most of the rest of the day in bed with a cold cloth on my face. What I also did as quickly as possible: I downed as much water and electrolyte-laden food as I possibly could.
Let’s just say… I will not make that mistake again!
Electrolytes. Why Are They Important?
Incidentally, regarding electrolytes, there are far more options than grabbing a Gatorade, which is what many of us were taught as kids. Instead, consider the long list of foods that replenish electrolytes. You will see that yogurt, bananas, spinach, broccoli, tuna, and a number of other healthy and readily available items will help. (I had a yogurt and then sat in bed munching raw spinach and eating tuna drizzled with homemade lemon-dijon vinaigrette.)
So why are electrolytes so important?
Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electrical charge… [They] spark cell function throughout the body… They support hydration and help the body produce energy. They’re also responsible for stimulating muscle contractions, including those that keep your heart beating.
Mall Walking? Try HALL Walking.
Very early this morning, having not walked for three days (other than putting on my sneakers and walking up and down the corridor in my apartment – B.O.R.I.N.G.), I checked the weather report and decided to risk a walk before the heat rose to the “feels like” 90° mark. I put on my loosest clothing, tried to keep to the shaded side of the street, and restricted my route so that I remained close to my residence in case I began to feel the effects of the heat. I managed a 15-minute walk, but that was it.
For me, being able to exercise, even something as “simple” as a brisk walk, is essential to my well-being. So this is tough! And as the next days promise one scorcher after another, it just may get tougher.
I am reminded of “mall walking” many years back when I lived in a region with a very long (snowy) winter. My current version? Forget mall walking. I’m hall walking.
When in Doubt… Soup!
To amuse myself after that all-too-brief bit of exercise, I made my healthy, organic, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink veggie soup. I continue focusing on an incredibly healthy regimen, and this particular soup, for me, is a scrumptious part of it. The most challenging? All that chopping!
I confess – if I had access to a swimming pool or a beach, I would pop on my shades, dab my lips in captivating color, wriggle my way into a bathing suit, slather my skin with sunscreen, and revel in dipping into the cool water. I may not be able to swim the way I once could (I still sometimes dream of swimming), but even floating on my back would feel delicious.
So what are you doing to beat the heat? How do you change your exercise routine if being outside is usually part of it? Do you, like me, feel as if your hackles are heating and you need an alternative approach to a series of sultry summer sizzlers?
Stay cool… Stay hydrated. This heat is dangerous.
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We had several days of high heat about a month ago. We don’t have air conditioning; we rely on heavy wooden shutters to keep out the sun, opening them on the side that’s in the shade, airing the house in the morning and then closing it up to keep the cool air in during the afternoons.
It got so hot, my computer just shut down. Impossible to do anything. We just lay around in front of fans. Long dips in the pool at night to cool down to sleep. I regretted missing the relatively cool mornings, but it was impossible to sleep until around 1 a.m. No cooking. Everything we ate was cold. Melon with ham. Tomatoes with mozzarella.
It has been absolutely lovely since–highs in the upper 80s, lows in the lower 60s. But another heat wave is expected in a few days. I am hoping for rain, myself. We are way behind in precipitation.
I know there have been some terrible summers of heat and drought in France in recent years. Laying in front of fans without air conditioning. Not much fun indeed.
It’s often hotter than Hades in Australia but locals and tourists alike will lay frizzling on the sand at the beach with no skerrick of shade, all day long. So crazy – although I’ve done my fair share of that nonsense in the past! Silly me…
Last year I had a touch of sunstroke for the first time in my life when I was on a dig in Greece. I was covered top to toe in what looked like the entire contents of a laundry basket so as not to get burnt but I didn’t pay enough attention to drinking water – it was all so exciting on the site! Needless to say, I had to stay in bed all the next day to recover and went back to the site with a new vigilance and was fine if I drank the 3 litres I took every day. But each day there would be a no-show as quite several of us took a turn at being the punished for being idiots, haha!
Yes, the heat can be a challenge.
Three litres of water. Yikes! And you’re so right that we worry about the sun but not the heat.
I’m glad to hear that you are getting into a good walking routine! Even if the hallway is your walking!!
The heat wave is temporary. Our area has had a few widespread power outages lasting for 4-5 hours. AC overload the system. City officials are requesting that we all conserve the energy. So I’m doing my part.
Stay inside and keep cool…
D.A., I could not live in a place with the heat and humidity you describe. I know that you have relocated twice in recent years, but for your quality of life, you may want to consider moving once more, to a city where human beings enjoy being outside all summer… and where there are many city parks with outdoor and/or indoor pools as well as two rivers, nearby lakes and an ocean close enough for day trips. (Have you ever lived on an ocean coastline? where there is no hurricane season?) I never had, needed or wanted air conditioning (or to live inside screened places because of bugs) during the decades I’ve lived here. Be in touch if you want to know more about the dry but lush, temperate (although sometimes hotter than they used to be) summers (and mild winters!) in my city, area and region.
What city, area or region do you live, I’m curious!
And interest in affordability when there’s a need to purchase a very small house?
Gazpacho!! You’ve reminded me I need to make some cold gazpacho with an assortment of cheese and crackers!! Yes m’am! That is what I will do! Thank you! xoxox, Brenda
Heat is definitely dangerous. I know someone who died while long distance running mid-afternoon in an Arizona summer. Maybe testing that theory that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
There are occasions in the summer when I spend all afternoon and evening out on an asphalt parking lot in the Gulf Coast heat. I’ve become quite the believer in Gatorade. My go-to indoor drink has been watered down V8-Fusion, which is a mix of fruit and vegetable juices. When I started spending the afternoons outdoors, I started substituting Gatorade for the water. But I could drink two liters of that and not feel satisfied. I’ve learned that drinking straight Gatorade gives immediate, palpable relief.