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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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Imdunfer · 22/05/2026 17:46

Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 17:38

Yes they are always the same size.

OK, it's unlikely you have Holmes Adie then. One symptom of many is heat intolerance.

Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 17:44

LarksAscending · 22/05/2026 13:26

I’m just mad we didn’t seem to get any spring. It’s gone straight from big coat temps so shorts temps.

This is one of the things I struggle with, last weekend I was wrapped up in warmer clothes and sitting with a throw on at night then within a few days it's like the tropics, there is no time for my body to get used to it. It's always all or nothing in the UK.

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Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 17:42

Gamerlady · 22/05/2026 14:16

How can anyone complain about this gorgeous weather after lots of rain and miserable grey weather. I am absolutely loving it, getting all my washing dried and sitting in the garden. Its not even that hot yet and im menopausal but embracing this glorious sunshine.

It's not the sunshine that I am complaining about, I love the sun, it's the horrible sticky humidity that always comes with the UK heatwaves, especially in my part of the country. It genuinely makes me feel unwell. When it's a nice sunny warm day I am fine.

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Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 17:38

Imdunfer · 22/05/2026 17:35

Are your pupils the same size? There is a point to the question which I'll explain later if so.

Edited

Yes they are always the same size.

OP posts:
Imdunfer · 22/05/2026 17:35

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.

Are your pupils the same size? There is a point to the question which I'll explain later if so.

Wickedlittledancer · 22/05/2026 17:35

Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 17:33

No, I am quite slim, size 10.

I’d definitely speak to your gp then again.

Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 17:33

Wickedlittledancer · 22/05/2026 17:22

Can I ask gently, are you a healthy weight, when I was larger, the heat was more problematic.

No, I am quite slim, size 10.

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Wickedlittledancer · 22/05/2026 17:22

Can I ask gently, are you a healthy weight, when I was larger, the heat was more problematic.

Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 17:19

Auburngal · 22/05/2026 17:14

I’m asthmatic so struggle with our high humidity. I can cope with the heat as waked 13 miles in 45c in Seville.

Yep, the humidity is the worst part, my husband is also asthmatic and whilst he can handle the heat well (he works outside) it really affects his chest.

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Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 17:18

FernFaery · 22/05/2026 12:22

Yep no such thing as wrong weather just wrong clothes

I wear loose cotton or viscose clothing, eat salads mainly during summer and I only ever drink water - still feel like crap in the heat.

I think there is such a thing as the wrong type of people for the wrong type of weather, I'm proof of that lol

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Verv · 22/05/2026 17:14

I hate it.
My hands swell, my feet swell, everything is uncomfortable.
I prefer cold climates.

Auburngal · 22/05/2026 17:14

I’m asthmatic so struggle with our high humidity. I can cope with the heat as waked 13 miles in 45c in Seville.

Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 17:10

backseatdrivers · 22/05/2026 12:14

It's a very sticky, soggy type of heat. I sweat a lot from my head and neck and my hair was hardly ever dry last year as I had to wash it every day. Combined with a red face and frizzy hair of course I looked amazing 😂

I can recommend a neck fan.

I've been using my neck fan all day today, it's been very helpful.

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Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 17:08

StarCourt · 22/05/2026 12:12

I hate uk heatwaves, we live in a flat with no outside space and 2 house cats so cannot keep the windows open. I have loads of fans, a portable ac unit and neck fans etc but still hate it. The heat and oppression make my migraines worse and DD cannot self regulate her body temp. We’d like to move to Alaska!

I feel your pain, I have a migraine today from the heat. Alaska sounds wonderful.

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Saywhatnowhey · 22/05/2026 17:06

GingerBeverage · 22/05/2026 12:06

It sounds like you have an undiagnosed medical condition.

I do often wonder.

I have ADHD, IBS and Endometriosis but I'm not sure any of those would cause me to have such heat intolerance. I am hypermobile but I don't have an official diagnosis but I wonder if that may contribute to it all?

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Catwalking · 22/05/2026 16:58

It is quite difficult doing strenuous work in the heat.
But I hate getting dressed in the winter! Soooooo many layers to keep justabout warm enough.
Soz I don’t usually post to disagree, this time i have to. I really hope you can stay cool enough for comfort 💐💐💐

Livpool · 22/05/2026 16:50

FernFaery · 22/05/2026 16:03

Equally those conditions are vulnerable to cold and all the land slugs on here post about how much they love the cold, drizzle and ‘snuggling with hot chocolate’ for 11 months a year

👏🏼👏🏼

RampantIvy · 22/05/2026 16:05

We currently have a cool breeze. I imagine sitting in the shade in this breeze would keep most people cool.

FernFaery · 22/05/2026 16:03

CassandraWebb · 22/05/2026 14:53

It's just rude to call it hysteria when there are medical conditions (like mine and many others) that make people very vulnerable to heat. They do weather warnings for that reason.

Equally those conditions are vulnerable to cold and all the land slugs on here post about how much they love the cold, drizzle and ‘snuggling with hot chocolate’ for 11 months a year

FernFaery · 22/05/2026 16:02

RampantIvy · 22/05/2026 15:59

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

Presumably for the same reason that people who feel cold easily don't understand why you prefer cold weather.

We aren't even through the first day of fine wrather and the number of people complaining on mumsnet is unbelievable.

Yes the driving rain, wind, endless grey cloud and damp makes me depressed.

RampantIvy · 22/05/2026 15:59

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

Presumably for the same reason that people who feel cold easily don't understand why you prefer cold weather.

We aren't even through the first day of fine wrather and the number of people complaining on mumsnet is unbelievable.

Delatron · 22/05/2026 15:41

Personally I enjoy it. If I was being picky around 25 degrees in this county is perfect with a cool morning to walk the dog.

We do not do heat well in this country but I also find people don’t help themselves!

Are you taking cold showers? Do you keep the house cool? Have a fan? Drink lots of water? Avoid the midday sun? We need to become a bit more European in our approach.

I would just take the hit and buy an aircon unit for your bedroom. I managed to break mine and my DH won’t let me buy another! But it got me through that long hot summer we had a while ago.

Stoicandhappy · 22/05/2026 15:37

I absolutely love it. Tbh I still haven’t taken my jumper off, but if it gets to 30 degrees I will.

blackbunny · 22/05/2026 15:26

Cool almost cold showers frequently throughout the the day, get dressed when still slightly damp.
Drink loads or water.

WiddlinDiddlin · 22/05/2026 15:21

Hate it, I've never coped well with heat, had heat stroke multiple times whilst actively trying to avoid it, and now I am disabled and have chronic health issues too, on top of physical disability... its awful and can trigger an autonomic crash.

So last year we bit the bullet and got AC in the bedroom, which has been used far more than I thought, as it has a heat function too, and our central heating er, isn't... it is only downstairs (no idea why someone decided to fit half a central heating system!).

So whilst I do have to sit downstairs in a horribly stuffy room during the day whilst I work, I do have some respite at bedtime now!