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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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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.

CassandraWebb · 22/05/2026 10:05

(I also don't cope well in the cold! Heated blankets, heated gilets , lots of layers and an insulated hot drink flasks all help there)

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?

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
Somethingbland · 22/05/2026 10:03

I don't like heat waves at all when we have them in the UK .

I don't mind the occasional sunshine holiday abroad. Because on holiday I don't actually have to do much apart from relax and enjoy and I know my experience of the hot sunshine is finite.

But at home I much prefer pleasantly warm weather with an occasional rain shower to prolonged heat. I actually get really depressed when we go for longish periods without rain.

My dislike of heatwaves is more a mental health issue rather than the physical one you experience OP. But I know there are are a lot of people who really don't like heatwaves for various reasons.

WhatNextISay · 22/05/2026 10:01

Can't wait for September

TeenToTwenties · 22/05/2026 10:01

Keep windows and curtains closed is my advice.

Original poster
Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 10:01

QuintadosMalvados · 22/05/2026 09:54

I don't like it.
May I suggest some cooling pads to the back of the neck.
They're meant for migraines but have other uses.

I'm popping to the shops later, I will look out for some, thanks.

OP posts:
TeenToTwenties · 22/05/2026 10:01

I don't like it much above 26C. I'd normally hibernate indoors given the choice, though this Monday I'm driving for 2hrs then moving furniture about!

Original poster
Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 10:00

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

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

OP posts:
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!

QuintadosMalvados · 22/05/2026 09:54

I don't like it.
May I suggest some cooling pads to the back of the neck.
They're meant for migraines but have other uses.

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.