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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think there must be something wrong with me because I absolutely can not tolerate the UK heatwaves - anyone else?

338 replies

Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 09:47

I am 53 and in perimenopause so that is not helping at all but I have always been like this.

As soon as summer hits and these heatwaves come out of nowhere I feel dreadful. I have never been able to tolerate either cold or hot weather at all, even when I was younger. As a child I preferred winter over summer so I could cover and layer up.

Where I live in the UK it is often the most hot and humid weather during the summer months and it makes me feel so physically unwell. I have some existing health issues but none that are related to temperature intolerance so no idea why I get like this. It's only 9.30am and I have already had to sit down with my neck fan on. Just hanging out a few loads of washing and tidying up the kitchen has left my heart racing, my stomach churning (I do have IBS which gets worse in the summer) and I feel so nauseous (I always feel so sick in the heat). Other than pace and fan myself there doesn't seem to be a lot I can do to dampen down the ill feeling I get.

No one else I know is like this, everyone adores this heat and really looks forward to it, some saying the hotter the better but I just want to lay on my bed and lay with the fan on all day, I feel so lightheaded and weird.

I have mentioned this numerous times to my GP but my blood levels return ok so they don't have any suggestions.

Is it normal to feel so unwell during the summer months? Does anyone else get this?

I freeze during the winter, like to the bone frozen but I would rather take that over the summer because at least I can carry my trusty hot water bottle around with me and layer up. The sticky, humid UK summers make me want to rip my skin off. It really annoys me because I love warmth and sunshine - I could happily reside in September and October for the rest of my days, I am at my most comfortable in Autumn.

OP posts:
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babasaclover · 22/05/2026 10:38

Do yourself a favour and have air-conditioning installed in your house. It’s perfect and you can even use it as a heat in the winter

BoredZelda · 22/05/2026 10:38

Same. Nothing to do with menopause, I hate warm weather, always have. Part of it stems from my mother always insisting “what are you doing sitting in on such a lovely day” I hate being outside just to be outside. Temperatures much above 25 degrees are awful for me. I have to slather my pale skin with suncream, wear a hat, stay in the shade. Let me get my 15 minute vitamin D top up then leave me alone!

TerfOnATrain · 22/05/2026 10:37

This gets raised on MN every single time the weather gets a bit warm, and loads of people including myself agree.

I am currently battened down in a pitch black house with all curtains and blinds closed.

Monty36 · 22/05/2026 10:36

We don’t have the same heat as say Majorca. We have higher humidity. So it quickly becomes more uncomfortable.

TheLilacFinch · 22/05/2026 10:35

Now I live in the Highlands I do really miss the summers I had living in the south of England. You get actual hot summers down south and without the wind we have here. However when it’s just hot for days with no let up even at night time it is quite oppressive! If I lived down south I would definitely be investing in aircon in the house.

Monty36 · 22/05/2026 10:34

TeenToTwenties · 22/05/2026 10:01

Keep windows and curtains closed is my advice.

I never understand this. I know people say you are letting in hot air but you are also keeping any breeze out. And breeze can be cooling.

iamtryingtobecivil · 22/05/2026 10:33

I can so relate OP - I’ve never been a summer person. As a teen I didn’t see the point of sun bathing - I’d burn and it’s boring soooo boring! Always done UK holidays - if I had a pound for every time someone said ‘you can go to Spain for that price’ urgh the heat and obsession with the sun.

I’ve made an effort with buying grown up summer clothes that keep me covered so I don’t burn BUT even when my skin is ok an I stay in shade (on more recent aboard holidays) I still don’t feel quite well. I am one of those people who can’t cope with heat, the feeling of being hot, sweating, itching urgh nope not for me.

I bought a house that has a partially shaded garden. I have three nice sitting areas that are always shaded. One has a garden room and it always stays cool.

When we renovated our house I spend extra money on heat reducing features on south facing extension.

I can say I am better set up for summer now in my house and during these heatwaves with fans. I have an outdoor grill to cook on during summer to avoid oven/stove heat in house and this maintains the coolness.

I am a spring/autumn person and will sit outside plenty during those months

Also get bone cold - know exactly what you mean, only a hot bath helps to ‘cook through’ to get warm again. We are fortunate and that I will have heating on as needed.

Endofyear · 22/05/2026 10:31

I'm hot all the time anyway (menopause) so I dread the hot weather. I usually end up having at least 3 cool showers a day, last one just before bed as sleeping in the heat is a nightmare. I also wrap ice packs in a teatowel and have them in bed with me and a fan in the bedroom! I will be mostly staying indoors for the weekend with the blinds drawn 😩

Original poster
Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 10:24

Fluffybuns88 · 22/05/2026 10:05

I have issues with my temperature regulation due to immune issues, I cannot stand heatwaves, I coped was the year it hit 40c and was a dry heat, that was lovely for my bones.

Other than that it hits me like a freight train, I can't cool down, sleep on a dog cooling mat, keep all my curtains closed and have a fan on 24/7 I'm currently 30 weeks pregnant and I'm absolutely dreading it.

I feel for you, I was heavily pregnant in a heatwave years ago and I remember crying every day as I was melting.

OP posts:
SunshineCoffee5543 · 22/05/2026 10:22

You need an AC. I bought one of those that you just put in a room and you stick the hose out the window (and you can buy adaptors for the windows from.amazon to cover the area around it so it's sealed).

Genuinely, life changer. Sure it won't cool down a whole house but I have a 2 bed apartment and it actually does the job. Even just having a cool living room is bliss.

I'm not British originally and my family lives in Spain. I HATE British heatwaves. It's not just our houses, just nothing is built for heat. I'd take 35 Celsius in Spain than 28 Celsius in London.

Clemdfandango · 22/05/2026 10:19

I detest the hot weather and avoid going out as much as possible.

I honestly don't understand how anyone can enjoy the UK heat.

I prefer the temperature to be in single digits but I can cope up as far as maybe 21° but more than that I turn into a right old grump.

Roll on October is my summer mantra.

Row23 · 22/05/2026 10:18

Our houses just aren’t built for hot weather. Hot countries have lovely air conditioning and our houses are designed to be keeping heat in for the winter.
I have friends from South Africa who have moved here and said they struggle with the heat here. 28 degrees here is a different kind of heat than 28 degrees in South Africa. Not really sure why.
I do not enjoy the heat either. Especially as I’m very pale and burn so easily so I can’t really ‘enjoy’ being outside. The night is the worst - cannot stand being hot when trying to sleep!

665theneighborofthebeast · 22/05/2026 10:17

The humidity in the uk makes the heat unbearable for me. Countries with lower humidity are much more bearable at higher temperatures.

Nofeckingway · 22/05/2026 10:16

I dread too much heat as it seems to affect my blood pressure. Last year was in London with friends having a lovely time but by midday I had to go back to hotel as my feet were so swollen. I think perimenopause weight definitely doesn't help .

Original poster
Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 10:16

JontyGentooey · 22/05/2026 10:04

I hate it too! UK heat is a special kind of aggressive with the humidity and no AC of any sort on public transport or in buildings. My brother lives in a part of the world with phenomenal heat but has said he actually finds that easier to deal with than UK summers, because it's a dry heat and there is air conditioning everywhere. Whereas over here we just sit and sweat.

Can you afford a portable air conditioner?

I think that I definitely need a air con unit for the bedroom as our bedroom is in the roof.

OP posts:
Thefrenchconnection1 · 22/05/2026 10:15

I'm the same OP. Cooling towels are a real help.

UncannyToad · 22/05/2026 10:14

Me too. I class it as a ‘reverse’ SAD - it’s as valid as those who dread the darker days and cold seasons. Fed up with being classed as weird for not enjoying heat, sun and light evenings.

I’ve got some physical issues and autoimmune diseases which mean my body temperature is out of whack anyway. Save a fortune on heating in the winter! But come spring, I’m actively dreading the summer.

Original poster
Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 10:14

CassandraWebb · 22/05/2026 10:04

I spent twenty years feeling ashamed how much I struggled in the heat only to learn I have Myasthenia Gravis and so yes my body really does stop working in the heat
All my blood tests were normal too. There are lots of conditions that don't necessarily show up in blood tests /in the blood tests a GP orders

I cope by

  • keeping the house as cool as I can
  • neck fans, ice packs
  • air conditioning as much as possible
  • a swimming membership
-an electric wheelchair
  • support from work to work from home when necessary

I have a GP appointment later for something else but I will mention it the her.

OP posts:
Livpool · 22/05/2026 10:14

This is first day of the year I haven’t had to put my heating on first thing. How can people be moaning about the warm weather already?!

It has been grey, damp and miserable since September. This is the first day I haven’t had to take my reliever inhaler before taking my son to school.

Original poster
Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 10:11

WhatNextISay · 22/05/2026 10:01

Can't wait for September

Me too, my favorite month of them all.

OP posts:
tiramisugelato · 22/05/2026 10:11

I’m the same. I hate being hot and sticky.

Eyelashesoffire · 22/05/2026 10:09

Yesitsmeimback · 22/05/2026 09:51

I hate the hot weather. I feel ill and tired and sick. It takes over all the space in my brain all I can think about is how hot and uncomfortable I am.

Edited

This is a great summary, exactly how I feel in hot weather!

At least in cold weather you can wrap up, in hot weather there's a limit to how many clothes you can take off and remain decent.
I coped last year with a microfiber towel soaked in water and a hand held fan.

Original poster
Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 10:08

EmeraldRoulette · 22/05/2026 09:59

@Saywhatnowhey "I have never been able to tolerate either cold or hot weather at all, even when I was younger."

so you've always been like this?

I think we're just not made to manage temperatures outside of 10 to 25.

I get really bad SAD, really bad. And my default is that I'm always cold. I get really annoyed having to wear four layers all the time in winter.

I don't feel ill in this weather but I have been working at home at at least two days a week for about 10 years. When I had to get on the Tube I found that really difficult. The temperatures there get hellish.

Do you cope when there's a big variation? For example. I was on holiday in Palm Springs once and it was 25 during the day and went down 2 at night. I had a lovely time but I really struggled with the temperature variation and thought I was catching a bug!

Anyway, I hope you're alright. I'm debating pulling out the Aircon unit. My flat has the thermal bricks of a new build so once it absorbs heat, it keeps throwing it back at you. I should be all right for just a few days though. It's a tiny flat. Tiny. So having to have the unit around is a nuisance.

I'm currently sitting here in long sleeved synthetic. So I'm obviously all good for a while. But I'm completely sympathetic. Being someone who is very affected by temperature is difficult.

My favourite season is spring. We don't seem to have had it this year or last year!

I think you are right there, anything under 10 leaves me chilled to the bone and over 20 I feel sick from the heat. Maybe most of us our like that? I have felt that way since I was a child and one of the reasons I don't go abroad in the summer.

I also find rapid temperature variations difficult to tolerate, I can not go into air-conditioned buildings then into heat without really feeling it and it makes me feel very weird, I can't even fully articulate the sensation which comes over me.

I really need to look into getting an air-con unit, I keep telling myself there is no need as next summer will probably be cooler but I think that is wishful thinking on my part.

OP posts:
SALaw · 22/05/2026 10:07

Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 10:00

That's exactly how I feel, I can not think of anything else, just wishing the time away until it eases off.

Show quote history

If it’s so all encompassing why have you never moved a couple of hours north where it is generally cooler?

Watercooler · 22/05/2026 10:05

I hate it. I have physical ick when it's hot. I think I actually have sensory issues with sweat which causes a lot of it.