It’s another hot weather panicker, please be kind.

[Em308]

Please talk me down from my extreme state of anxiety…. Yes I am one of the many who are very worried about the impending weather, we are predicted 37 Monday and 39 Tuesday. I am an insulin dependent diabetic and suffer badly with coping with the heat anyway. I also have a heart issue. I’ve been trying to think logically, it’s only 3 days, I have preparations in place (even an air con unit but the talk of power outrages is terrifying me!). But something popped into my mind this morning and it’s overwhelming me. Hot tubs are usually set to 38/40 degrees aren’t they? I have to set ours to 36/37 as I can’t sit in the higher temp, I feel faint. The air is going to be the temperature of a hot tub….wtf?? How do I cope? Please calm me down and yes getting a grip is exactly what I need to do, I know this already!

The media really haven't helped OP and you are DEFINITELY not on your own panicking.

Read the advice posted for staying cool. Keep yourself hydrated, stay out of the sun. If you feel yourself getting too hot, have a cold shower/put your feet in cold water/use damp cloths to cool your skin, run a cool bath etc.

Have you set up and tested out your Aircon unit? That might make you feel better. Large power outages are unlikely. Have you registered as a priority customer due to your disability (e.g. the need to keep insulin in the fridge) so you're prioritised for electricity access in case of power failure? If not I'd ring them today to do that.

I think I would then decide:

a) if you are unwell with the heat due to your long term health conditions then accept taking a couple of days off to look after yourself (unless you're just going to sit there stewing instead of being distracted, you'll have to decide that.

b) find and plan some calm, distracting indoor activities - find a new series or some films you want to watch or a new podcast etc.

c) make a list of the preparations you need to do, i.e. freezing water bottles, flannels etc, getting fans set up, shading windows, and then work through and physically tick them off, even down to picking out your coolest clothing etc. Then you'll know you've done everything you can to prepare.

d) consider if there are any techniques you can use to manage your anxiety. I really like headspace and find guided mindfulness surprisingly helpful after being initially very skeptical.

First present try not to panic it will make it worse. Have you got fans? , drink water, stay cool as possible. Cool baths , if you can eat ice pops, don't go out unless early morning and veh Kate evening although to be fair it will still be hot sorry.. I'm going away soon and weather is humid and late 30's everyday only difference is they are geared up with air con in house makes such a difference! and mostly good evening /nightlife and morning beach etc with the siesta. Its very humid as well where we are going despite what people say about Uk being different heat there are still countries that are also very humid they are just more geared up for it. Its only couple of days I know but try not to do anything and eat fruit and salads etc. You'll be fine.

*power outages are possible of course, that's why there's the warning, but my understanding is that large scale outages are fairly unlikely

Do you have to go outside OP on those 2 days? If not, then I would sit in as dark a room as possible in the house with your feet in a bucket of cool water and a cold cloth around the back of your neck. Sip cool water throughout the day. I know it’s useless to say it but panicking is only going to make you feel hotter. You will be fine - stay at home - stay hydrated.

Ignore all the above if you are now going to say that you have to work somewhere really hot.

Wet and wring out tea cloths and flannels, then freeze. Put them round your neck, on wrists and ankles to cool yourself down.
The media has spread the message so that people can take precautions to prevent their becoming ill. Because we are not used to this weather, we don't automatically know how to behave safely and responsibly in it. You are making sure you take precautions so will be fine.

Water temperature is very different though. 20 degrees is freezing for water, lovely for air! If your hot tub is in shade, you could sit in it at about 34 degrees and it would cool you down.

don’t wear much an drink plenty of cold water to keep yourself cool. You will be absolutely fine if you stay out of the sun

My family member was diabetic with heart issues and our summers were hot. Since he couldn't relocate to northern countries (moaned a lot about that 😁), he made sure he kept his home office cold enough for him.

Close blinds if sun is on that side, ventilate, ventilate, ventilate, floaty clothes, frozen small water bottle to cool wrists and neck. Hydrate appropriately, make sure you still move around to keep circulation going. Hot coffee... Fan but not aimed directly at you, it helps with ventilation. Unfortunately, it meant he didn't really go out until later in the day, but usually after a week his body got used to the summer. Luckily you have just few days so fingers crossed.

I used to live in a country where the average daily temp was 37 and the locals used to use the shopping malls to cool off (and save their air con bills) Going to the cinema was also popular for this reason 😀 So movie and shopping trip would be my recommendation!

Also I used to go to bed with wet hair as I found this helped.

Have you got a spray bottle? Fill it with cold water and regularly spray yourself with it.

Have you ever been on holiday to a hotter country? Try to think of it like that - lots of the people I know who are panicking are those who have experienced this type of weather abroad before!

I like the idea of getting yourself bored as a priority customer due to your diabetes. Also try some affirmations to quell your anxiety? Realistically as you’re well prepared in your own safe and comfortable home you are very unlikely to be badly affected by two days’ very hot weather are you? There are those that don’t have that comfort.

Forgot yo say (but that's more likely for next time...) Natural fibres. I love my cotton sheets because they breath nicely. Similarly clothes. It helps as well

Getting yourself noted not bored!

Just stay indoors with all your fans,AC and do nothing! Get cold drinks and food and stop panicking…you will be fine !

Close blinds, curtains, have fans on. Cold water drinks with ice. Stay in when you can, if out and about and on MDI use a Frio pouch - we use those on holiday. I don't think there will be power outage and if there were it would be a short time. So fridge will stay cool for hours as long as not opened.

I’ve set our hot tub to 33 and it’s been gorgeous last few days, why don’t you do that?

You are not alone OP. I’m feeling a bit panicked at them moment, but not for myself, for my caseload of housebound and extremely vulnerable patients.

Youve had plenty advice on keeping cool. I’m sure you know what to do on that front. What are you doing to help your anxiety?

I was off work for two months earlier this year with burnout and stress. I watched a lot of terrible reality tv but eventually hit my own personal sweet spot for brain calming with the combination of listening to audiobooks while simultaneously watching a polish man clean very dirty rugs on YouTube. Somehow my brain allowed itself to go into a zen like state of being partly focused on the story and partly watching brown water being hosed out of rugs.

If you’ve got something like that eh oh you know really helps your mind to switch off from the worry then plan to do that if you can.

@Em308
Don’t compare water and air temperatures, your sweat cannot evaporate when you are in water whereas in air it will and this helps to cool you.
Some tips I have been given:
To keep the house cool keep windows and curtains closed.
Try not to cook hot food.
Freezing a bottle of water and putting it front of a fan can help.
Sitting with a damp towel around your shoulders.
if you take sensible precautions you should be fine, those who a blasé about it who are most at risk.

Polish man cleaning rugs.

The media are making us all panic more (myself included). I'm worried about the health issues I have.
However, what I don't understand is how they can give out the danger warnings and expect people to carry on as normal. I'm dreading walking to fetch my child from school as I have no other option. It's a half hour walk each way, with a wait in between with no shade available.
Fair enough that they are issuing these warnings, but they really should give people the option to keep children at home etc.

The media really haven't helped OP and you are DEFINITELY not on your own panicking.

Why do people say this? The media have just reported the forecast, which is undeniably newsworthy.

Bear in mind 39 is going to be the peak temperature. It won’t be that hot that all day and just because outside in the sun it’s that hot doesn’t mean it will reach that hot inside in the shade. It might be uncomfortable but it will be fine, people live on much hotter countries or countries where they will need to withstand these heats for weeks or months on end.

There is lots of advice for how to keep cool in the heat. Follow it and you should be fine.

Because they keep banging on about it, and people are not being given an alternative. Schools staying open etc.
It's like saying the swimming pool is contaminated by a dangerous substance but we still expect everyone to jump in!

“Polish man cleaning rugs.”

even the first few minutes has cheered me up