Anxious about going to work in Friday's heat

[Infinity07]

I work in a public sector job, it's very demanding, fairly physical and carries the responsibility of others.
I have a long term anxiety and a panic disorder (under treatment) which work are aware of but it's not really an issue there. However, I do have certain triggers and one thing is when the weather is extra hot like it's predicted to be on Friday (33°c here in the SE). The heat really makes me panic as I get anxious about how it physically makes me feel. I have health anxiety. The older I've got, the worse I seem to experience this.

So I'm debating with my conscience whether to take Friday off work or maybe part of the day off. Work will not accept my anxiety reason regarding the weather, I just know what they're like. So I'd have to say something else.

It's only Tuesday and I'm already getting so stressed about this. Don't know what to do.

What are you going to do if there is a heatwave?

And no, as a teacher you can't take AL.

I do sympathise, but you can't just take the day off. What do you propose to do during July and August when we're likely to have a lengthy heatwave?

So as a teacher you can't take annual leave
Are you going to go sick every time there's a warm day? You'd be better off looking at strategies to help you manage it.

Get an electric fan to plug in on your desk.

And some grips. To keep your hair off your face.

This, what happens in July if we have a mega heat wave?

Suck it up and get on with it, it's a warm day, plenty more of them likely given it is now summer, are you going to take a day off every time it gets above 25°c?

Those of us who actually do physical work have to suck it up and get on with it, I don't get the luxury of staying in the shade, opening a window for a breeze or having a little desk fan and water bottle, I have to do a lot of heavy lifting surrounded by 4 massive industrial ovens for 12 hours in an underground site with no windows whilst wearing thick overalls and PPE, we can't just take a day off because it's too warm. I'm pretty sure you can sit at a desk for a few hours.

I’m dreading this heat wave! We have no air con.. floor to ceiling windows and sun comes directly in. Customers don’t always like the windows open. Our uniform is pretty thick and not breathable and we are very busy and carrying heavy things. Last heatwave I almost passed out. But I wouldn’t dream of not going in! Think it’s just going to be a case of keeping hydrated and attempting to get a break!

I pulled a face at your title. But its "only" going to be 25 here, some windows will be open.
33 is warm for the uk. But since you can't take leave, I'm not sure what you can do other than cool drinks, appropriate clothes, open windows and a fan.
The kids will be equally hot. Can you take it easy with the lessons for that day?

I understand, I'm a teacher and classrooms do get very hot once you've got 30 sweating teenagers in there, and the windows only open about 5cm!
You can't really take the day off, you know what budgets are like for supply.
I usually put a bottle of water in the freezer overnight and sip it through the day as it melts. When you have a chance to go to the loo - I know it's rare! - run the cold water over your hands and arms. Just wear the loosest cotton clothing that you have and eat a cold salad for lunch. Hopefully it won't last.

Most of the replies here are ridiculous.
Having lived most of my life in a country with raging temp of 30C, I sympathise, this country is not designed or prepared for heat waves. What’s wrong with you all? We used to have AC in our classrooms which we switch on as soon as it went over 26. Learning is not possible when you get hot.

This Friday is not going to be pretty and that’s coming from someone who is supposed to be used to living in a very hot country.

Some practical tips;

• Water bottle with you at all times
• Small keep cold lunch bag, could have a couple of ice packs in there, would keep your water cold
• fan on your desk
• handheld fan for travelling
• hair tied up and out of face
• looser clothing, linen trousers perhaps? Can be made to look professional for work
• cooling spray, great for a quick spritze on your face/chest
• travel earlier in the morning, give yourself more time so no rushing about
• comfortable footwear, sandles (no socks)
• excuse yourself into the corridor if and when you need to
• close curtains in the classroom if facing the sun

Make a plan, and feel prepared. You will not be able to make up an excuse every time there is a heat wave. And there may be many more hot days before the end of term.

Sounds to me as though it's a bit bigger than this one day, and therefore you need to discuss the issues with your class being a bit too much for you with your year head. To make sure you get an appropriate class next year.

I fill a large plastic water bottle with water and freeze it, the ice lasts ages, usually doesn't defrost quick enough for me to drink it when I want it. Perhaps you could do that?
Could you make sure you have somewhere cool to go for a break/lunch? Or sit in the shade outside? Then think you just have to get through 2-3 hours at a time.
I think it would be good to try and get through it, there could be quite a few more hot days to cope with before school holidays.
Also a fan if can have one!

What about one of those cool air sprays?

Get a large bottle and half fill it, lay in on its side and put in the freezer. When you are read to leave for the day fill the rest with water. This is the only way I managed in a heatwave in France - stuck in a caravan with no shade.

It sounds like you're stressed about your year group's behavioural issues and using this heatwave as something you're clinging onto as a proxy. Can you deal with those issues so that your overall stress load is lower?

The heat isn’t the issue here - your anxiety is. Glad you’re getting treatment for it, have you asked your therapist for any advice/coping strategies for Friday? Can you explain to them you’re so anxious you’re thinking of taking the day off, so can they advise anything?

Well, what's the alternative? Close the schools when there's a heatwave? I'd love that, but it's not going to happen.

I bought one of these for travelling on the tube last Summer.

Get one OP, it's one of the best things I've ever bought. When I started a thread last year, a few other MNetters bought one too.

Misting fans that emit a wet mist can really help. Even a slightly damp light neck scarf or head scarf can help. Taking a day off sick every time it’s hot just looks really bad, I expect you know this which is adding to your anxiety.

But you haven't given any advice to the OP or other teachers who may be in the same position.

So what's the alternative from now to September?

I wonder if the twatty posters have actually read what op has written.

I completely empathise with you, OP. I have been physically sick at work due to heat; thankfully not as yet in a patient's house, always managed to get back to the car first, but I'm sure that's luck rather than anything else! I too dread the hot weather every summer. It's got to the stage where I am considering leaving a job I adore, just for how unwell I get on the mercifully (relatively) few days a year it's that hot. Mind you, when you're in the midst of it, it feel like forever!

Nothing makes it bearable as such, but things that sort of get me through each day include those cool water sprays (sure they are a waste of money, but heavens above, they feel good at the time!) and keeping plenty of frozen, slowly melting bottles water in the car (although I don't drink it, because have nowhere to go to the bathroom!). Also, just praying that my next patient will have at least a fan, if not air con, and not be still heating their homes in midsummer!

With the stress you are under on top of all that, no wonder you're feeling this way. I hope things improve soon.

Take the kids outside under a tree for lessons

have a cool bag with ice blocks and cold flannels

cold drinks - freeze a large bottle of squash and as it melts drink it

ice poles

wear cotton not synthetic materials and take a change of clothes or 2 in case you get sweaty

take in a fan - as it’s such an issue for you I would invest in a dyson one (we use them in A&E - the desk ones aren’t too expensive although yes they’re pricey)

These are things we do in the nhs.

Are you going to be returning next year to a year group you're more comfortable with? That might help with your anxiety.

I do think you need to look at practical strategies to get through Friday and other hot days though.

Also, just praying that my next patient will have at least a fan, if not air con, and not be still heating their homes in midsummer!

Have a look at the link to the neck fan I posted earlier. I can't believe I lived 50+ years without one