Coping with the heat

Rowantree before you go to bed get into a shallow tepid bath and leave the cold tap running slightly until you are lying with as much as possible of you under cold water. Stay there until you feel really cold, possibly half an hour, cold then get out and go to bed. DD does this in really hot weather and reckons that it gives her at least six hours of cool sleep.

I have done it during the day in really hot weather and I have stayed cool for at least four hours afterwards.

The long lie in cold water reduces your core body temperature which takes quite a while to gradually warm through again

Rowantree before you go to bed get into a shallow tepid bath and leave the cold tap running slightly until you are lying with as much as possible of you under cold water. Stay there until you feel really cold, possibly half an hour, cold then get out and go to bed. DD does this in really hot weather and reckons that it gives her at least six hours of cool sleep.

I have done it during the day in really hot weather and I have stayed cool for at least four hours afterwards.

The long lie in cold water reduces your core body temperature which takes quite a while to gradually warm through again

What a brilliant idea. I'd honestly never have thought to do that. I'll try it tonight - I need a good night's kip because I have to be up early tomorrow. Many thanks, FlicketyB!

I wrap a sheet in a plastic bag then 1/2 before bed lay it between the bottom and top cover. Cools the bed down a treat. It works for me.

Opps must be tired. I obviously put the wrapped sheet in the freezer for a good few hours

If possible Rowantree leave your windows open at night to cool your house. First thing in the morning before it warms up shut your windows and curtains to keep your house cool.

FlicketyB That would just about finish me off. I would go all hypothermic? As I lie in bed I just seem to lose body heat.
Up here in Cheshire it has just been very pleasantly warm so far this year.
Always draw your blinds and curtains before the house starts getting warmed by the sun. It makes a huge difference.

haha and here's me, not that long ago since I finally removed the electric blanket from my bed. I never, never complain about the heat (mind you I am wondering what heat?) My house is freezing in the winter, it's absolute misery, my bedroom only gets to about 10 - 12 degrees with the heating on - can drop as low as 7 without heating on so I just luuurve the summer.
Out of curiosity, just been to have a look and at 11.15pm it is currently 20 degrees in my bedroom - just right. I have a 13 tog duvet on all year round. You need to move up North, rarely is it too hot here.

Rowantree You could try buying a Chillow, they're brilliant! You don't need to do anything to it after the first set-up (filling it with cold water!) beyond topping it up from time to time if necessary. Unfortunately, the cat clawed mine, so I had a damp night , but before that happened it was a real life-saver. I think you can get small ones now as well and I'm sure there will be cheaper alternatives by now - I bought mine years ago.

Far too hot to be gardening today so I'm washing dog and cat bedding and I really ought to get the hoover out but CBA syndrome has set in

Go on, I'll ask it as we're all dying to know (hope it's not just me!) what's CBA syndrome please?

Yes, I was wondering about the CBA as well?
It is very hot where I am, but we keep blinds closed most of the day and that helps, as do the fans in a few rooms.We have a 2 tog duvet for Summer as well.Drinking lots of cool water/drinks helps.I do like Summer,and luckily our bedroom faces North.

Must not have led the sheltered life I thought I had Can't Be A....!

Love the heat, don't understand this thread.

I've been to keep fit this morning, and it was SO hot!
I like the sound of the tepid bath water but there is no bath here, so a cool shower has to do.
It is very trying, Rowantree. I do hope you feel better. Maybe after the promised thunderstorms soon this will clear the air.

Yes. Can't be A***d!!

I love hot weather but had to be up early to wave his lordship off on his fishing trip!! By the time I'd watered and fed the tomatoes, hoed the butternut squash and put a load of washing on I felt like going back to bed!

I think it's the high pollen count that's making me feel wiped out.

Can't say I've noticed that is overly hot and have been enjoying the weather. I've felt quite comfortable even at night.

Rowantree
Wheat bags will go in the freezer too (in polythene bags), a couple of those in bed would probably help.

I have CBA syndrome all year

Lona the heat will do that to you. I am wondering just how hot it is over there. Over here in the middle of the wheat fields in Oz in summer it is becoming more common to experience mid 40s every year. My hundred year old renovated cottage struggles with the heat and so do I. While I was away last Christmas holidays my house was shut up, when I got back my new kitchen bench had buckled noticeably from the extreme heat. One night in late January it was so hot I decided to sleep outside on GC's trampoline thinking my GS who was nearly six, and who lives next door would join me. He didn't as he was scared, so was I, I hate the dark and here it's pitch black. I figured no burglars/murderers etc would be able to see me in the dark and Buzz the dog would warn me if there were any creeping about. I thoroughly enjoyed it, there was a slight breeze and the stars were absolutely stunning.

My daughter said I should sleep at their (ducted air conditioned) house when it was too hot, which I did do on other hot nights. Though I can't think how much they miss out on, it was something we always did as children on very hot nights and was a lot of fun.

Weren't you worried about [gulp] spiders ....?

...and [more gulps] snakes yes of course! I am the least brave person with things like that.

Well the official advice is about drinking plenty and not getting too much sun.
However the people most at risk of ending up in an ambulance are those like MIL with heart failure and I don't think it is because they are dashing about in the midday sun!! She can just about get in and out of the chair. And has never sunbathed in her life.
Trying to keep the body cool puts extra strain on the heart.
Evaporation causes cooling. I phoned her and said get X to get you some wet wipes. She is too tidy minded to have a cold flannel and a bowl of water next to her.
As for the advice to keep windows closed in the day, well pigs might fly if you are an elderly person stuck in a chair all day. She'll have them all open and the door too I expect. And the windows will be open at night (as usual) despite the security risk in a bungalow...
If I was there I would get a plant sprayer and spray her down like a prize orchid.
Any other ideas for people in her situation (with a stubborn streak)

Jess - Would a tall, free standing fan, with remote control, work for you MIL? Several options on speed and direction. I've found mine invaluable, particularly at night.
Downside - a bit pricey for short term use. I'd willingly lend you one of mine if we lived closer!

Yesterday before it rained, it was like a sauna here. I love the sunshine, but - perhaps because my fitness isn't good at the moment - I am inclined to sweat profusely, especially from my head. Drinking plenty is essential. A short shopping trip on Tuesday nearly wiped me out. Must be one of those people for whom the Govt 'advice' is intended! This is the time when I know my vertical blinds have been a good investment. And much as I curse the huge trees that overshadow my garden, they do provide essential shade on days like today. Now - where have I put those fans?