I find being outside in the garden intense

[vamper]

My husband says I'm a vampire... I prefer to be indoors with the curtains closed. I do enjoy the garden a little bit, but if it's too hot, I can't be out there for long.

Even under the parasol. If there's a breeze it's OK. But I do find it quite bright and exhausting to be out there for too long.

I'm happy to be in the sun when I'm on holiday by the pool or at the beach, as you can go and cool off properly. I prefer the pool as it's not as exhausting as the beach. But I mix it up and go to the beach for a bit sometimes. The whole day at the beach is a lot, but a couple of hours is fine.

I could never just go to a park and sit in the blazing sun for example. I used to be able to when I was younger. Am I just getting old ?

I prefer spring and summer. It's definitely my season of choice. But I do struggle with the brightness and heat if I'm sitting out for too long and prefer to be inside for most of the time. Right now the curtains are drawn because I'm keeping the heat out, but I quite like that it's a bit darker in here than usual. Bright light is just too much for my eyes sometimes

Am I a vampire ? Or just heading towards middle age. I'm not 40 yet.

Ive got the curtains closed to keep the heat out

Are you in the uk? I checked the date of this thread assuming it was written in the middle of last summer’s heat wave!?
Ive only just stopped wearing jumpers (SE England) and so glad of a little warmth from the sun. My house is cold, I definitely don’t want to keep any heat out!

Im getting old..heading towards middle age well that’s just absurd- you’re in your 30’s 😂

Are you carrying a lot of weight? That can really affect your energy levels and make you overheat.

I think you should consider whether your health is contributing to how you feel, even as suggested getting your eyes checked too.
Please don’t write yourself off as “getting old “ x

63 and I love the sun! I have so much more energy when I'm out in the sunshine (I have considered that I may be either a plant or a reptile). Can't stand being indoors with all the curtains drawn when we have so little warm sunshine in the UK!

But it takes all sorts. Perfectly fine for other people to not like it, just be prepared to talk to me through the window for a couple of months.

I live in one of those new builds with lots of big windows and it gets insanely hot in here as it's south facing and as soon as the sun shines even a little bit, I need to keep the heat out.

Looking at air conditioning at the moment.

I have noticed I'm getting worse at this. I wonder if it's because I'm not doing the school run and getting out in the sun twice a day everyday. I'm just not as used to the bright light.

I would start with a good parasol and sunglasses OP.

Yes I hate insects. I also find being outside really tiring.

I also don't like cloudy days when everything is really bright. I wear sunglasses a lot. Vampire!

I also have astigmatism. I never considered that may have something to do with it.

Being overweight can significantly increase difficulties with hot weather, I don’t know if that applies to you.

What’s your vitamin D level like - do you know?

I don't think this is weird at all. I never have my curtains open - all year round and I don't care what anyone thinks. I come from a family of thin curtains and bright light streaming into every room and I hate it. I feel like I'm in a lab! I'm here right now in my cool bedroom, curtains closed but nice and warm. I've never been a sit outside person. I don't mind sitting outside for drinks at a pub but I hate eating outdoors or just sitting and doing nothing.

I think we're all just different. I'm already longing for Autumn.

I absolutely hate bright sun, but I also hate being cold. I wear sunglasses year round because I end up screwing up my face if it’s anything other than heavy cloud. No health issues - I’ve always been like this, my dad is the same, as are both my children.
I prefer to be in direct sun but avoid places with light surfaces or shiney things as these make it worse.

Hmm I have a feeling your definition of “insanely hot” may be different to mine 😂

I had a photosensitive reaction once to some strong drugs I was on for a slipped disc. I felt similarly to you- I found sunlight too blinding and overwhelming.
I also developed a skin rash in the sun.

I was so relieved it disappeared after stopping the medication. I absolutely love the summer and the heat.

I can’t help thinking there’s a health issue with you causing your photosensitivity.

Its worth considering if this is limiting what you can do and how you feel in sunlight?

I wear sunglasses all year round (not in the UK), but it doesn't stop me from enjoying being outside in the sun. The more sunshine the better! How bright does it get in the UK?

I love the outdoors and consider myself v much an outdoorsy’ person. I love sunny days but have no wish to sit directly in the sun. I hate humidity more than anything. Give me a sunny / cloudy day, with a light breeze at about 18 degrees and I’m happy.

So do I! Never thought there could be a link

I love being out in the sun but I generally avoid it on a hot day between 12 - 3 unless it's in a very shady place.

It's not a great idea to be too exposed to sun.

Intense heat and sunlight in my face is HARD WORK for me, but I prepare for it. I go to sunny places on holidays but avoid the intense heat (both here and abroad) at the hottest time of day. I have a magic sun cap with a huge brim and good sunglasses. High factor sunscreen, a bit of shade when it becomes too much and I'm good to go.

It is great to be outdoors, but I totally understand that it can often get too much for some, including myself. But as I said I prepare and if it gets too uncomfortable I move to the shade. Easier to read there anyway!

I know it's horses for courses, but I don't understand those who sunbathe most of the day on the beach or by the pool in full sun. I would feel like I was a sausage on a frying pan! But each to their own.

Anyway for those who care, "shade bathing" is very fashionable these days lol 😂

I wear sunglasses and I am not overweight. I don’t think those factors are the issue. It’s simply a matter of preferences.

I’m exactly the same and utterly hate driving in sunshine. This morning is perfect, warm but overcast. I have put a curtain up at my back door to stop the sun bouncing off my gloss flooring, sun glare actually makes me feel incredibly angry, not as bad as windy weather but still.

I much prefer being outside (late 40s) and can't stand curtains being shut in the day except in a heatwave. We don't get many sunny days in UK so I feel I've missed out if I miss one being inside. I love watching nature and feeling the wind and sun. I do sit in the shade though if it is too hot.

I do find summer more intense than winter in the sense of feeling I need to do more.

I like to be outside but in my specific way and I don’t let anyone push me into doing it a different way! I need my top half at least to be in shade, I need good suncream on and I need my hat and sunglasses, and plenty of water. Set up like that (I do like my feet in the sun!) I can sit out with a book or sketch load all afternoon. But in direct sunlight I wither very quickly and feel over hot and ill. I will also agree to sitting in the paddling pool in the hottest of weather but I need a sarong over my shoulders or I burn to a crisp.

Have you tried getting a decent wide brimmed sun hat?

It’s hard to know if what you’re feeling is particularly unusual? Where do you live and what temperatures are you talking about? Massive variation in the UK.

This just sounds so limiting.

Im not “frying myself in the sun like a sausage” like someone upthread said ! But

will be spending a few hours sorting out my garden in the sun, and then off to my sister’s for a barbecue in her garden.

Life would feel so restricted if I had to sit in a dark room or under a parasol all afternoon.

What does your oh think op? Does he get frustrated that you don’t want to be out in the sun?

Funnily enough as I life long lover of blazing heat and sunshine and heatwaves I have in recent years found I start to seek shade sooner.

Don't get me wrong I adore the sun and if conditions are right will happily spend all day out in it.

For example, not all shade is created equally. ... you mentioned being under a parasol can be too much and I agree that if it's the middle of the day heat and sun with no breeze actually there's not much more relief as in a way it just traps the heat. What I prefer is shade near greenery so you get the benefit of properly cooler air. DD and I went for a short run at 4pm yesterday when it was still pretty intensely hot however we did a leafy shaded route and even she said that weirdly it was the coolest she'd felt outside all day.

I remember a holiday in Kos a few years ago we managed to bag a lovely pool spot that was bordering on the hotel gardens so pulled our sun beds out onto the shade of some gorgeous flowering trees. Still not far from the pool and bar but it was so comfortable to be out of the blazing heat. And it smelt wonderful and I happily watched the bees busily buzzing away. Happy sunny days!

Saying that the feeling of the warm sun on our faces and winter tired bones it also lovely.

Agree with a pp that it may be worthwhile getting your eyes checked out too

And long May this lovely weather continue

I also suffer from Vertigo and oddly find the heat triggers my symptoms especially when driving. I have no idea why