Surviving the Heat

Kaytee1087 · June 2016

Hello ladies! I thought maybe we could start sharing our tips and tricks for staying cool during these increasingly hot days. I am selfishly looking for ideas because I am in a wedding on Saturday. An outdoor wedding, and my bride put us in floor length satin gowns... It's supposed to be 87° and mostly sunny.

I have a cooling towel and plan on carrying water absolutely everywhere, and using my dress as a fan.

Any other suggestions for keeping cool this summer?

UponAStar16 · June 2016

Ooh that wedding sounds rough (really at this point any outside events do)...if there is somewhere you can go to sit inside in A/C I would do that often. I haven't tried this yet but I heard a suggestion a while ago to freeze water bottles (open and drink a few sips first so it doesn't overflow) to keep in bed and roll your feet on at night. I think someone on here also mentioned frozen water bottles plus drinking the water when it starts melting.

nlane0723 · June 2016

I will either be in a pool or inside with A/C. Most places have misting systems too. It's not bad here because it's dry heat (Vegas), but some days you just can't go outside unless you're immediately entering a body of water. Yesterday it was 117. Hi, Summer, you've made your appearance.

LauraPCOS · June 2016

I saw on Pinterest once about getting a mini portable fan and sticking it under your dress while eating/sitting, maybe hubby can carry it for you while at the ceremony?

I don't have AC or a pool, so I'm planning on buying one of those small kiddie type pools to put in my backyard so I can sit it in and chill. We have a second patio umbrella which I'll set up by my little pool so I can be in the shade, in water and outside where there tends to be more air flow than inside my house.

I love the frozen water bottle idea!!! I wonder if there are cooling blankets like there are heating ones.

Piperella · June 2016

I had my first work-outfit issue this pregnancy. I am still very cold all the time, but yesterday I wore a dress that was completely made of synthetic material. At dinner after eating, I got really hot and felt like I sweated through my dress on my back and seat... ick! Right after eating is the only time I warm up, and didn't factor this in when I was helping to organize/run a work banquet last night. I need to wear more breathable type of dresses, so I'd recommend being aware of the fabric of what you're wearing matching what you're doing...

mrskratt · June 2016

For the wedding you're in, definitely wear breatheable under garments, hair up, have your hubby bring one of those small hand held fans and wear some breathable shoes.
Whenever I get really hot, I run the coldest tap water over my wrists, or even ice cubes. It instantly cools me down. Or chew on ice.
I heard that there is something you can rub on the soles of your feet, but I haven't tried any of that.

CopperBoom86 · June 2016

mrskratt said:

For the wedding you're in, definitely wear breatheable under garments, hair up, have your hubby bring one of those small hand held fans and wear some breathable shoes.
Whenever I get really hot, I run the coldest tap water over my wrists, or even ice cubes. It instantly cools me down. Or chew on ice.
I heard that there is something you can rub on the soles of your feet, but I haven't tried any of that.

This really works! I do it all the time. I've also found that it calms me during a panic attack. Random tid-bit

ibabyloveb87 · June 2016

@CopperBoom86 SO true. I used to do that all the time during anxiety moments. Or a cold can works too!

I find that I'm pretty much inside during the heat of the day and on the weekend I try to be near water I can get in. Either a pool or the ocean. It does help that I live at the beach, though.

I also drink a ton of ice water and keep a fan at my desk because our office AC is not the best- it runs but it still gets warm in here.

kmvisioli · June 2016

Yup, tons of ice water (sometimes sparkling water feels more refreshing), and in the air conditioning as much as possible. We just participated in an outdoor wedding in MO this weekend, and I stayed in the shade, used a fan, and took breaks in an air conditioned room every so often. Sit as much as possible so your body is resting.

kathleenkat · June 2016

Go without undergarments if at all possible. If you have long hair, keep it off your neck and tied up. Wishing you the best of luck in that you're not standing in the sun for an extended period of time!

We don't have AC but I've found a bucket of cold water with some melting ice cubes in front of a fan works wonders.

And, even for those with AC, get a whole house attic fan. Your house is hot because your attic is generally 20 degrees warmer than the outside temperature! When you pull the hot air out of the attic, it really does help.

kmvisioli · June 2016

Also maybe ask your bride if you can bring an appropriate change of clothes for after pictures

queen_frostine · June 2016

I just refuse to go outside more than absolutely necessary. I was at my parents' house celebrating my dad's birthday and my aunt, uncle, cousin, and his girlfriend came over to visit. They decided to sit outside in 80°+ heat. I stayed in. If you want to talk to me, be a reasonable person.

Also, for those without a/c, consider investing in a window unit or two. You can cool down at least one room. When ours went out, we managed to cool nearly the whole house by shutting off two unused bedrooms (one will be baby's eventually) and putting in two large and two small window units.

SuperNerd42 · June 2016

I've been packing frozen grapes as a cool
snack when I'm out in the heat. I have an insulated wine bottle carrier that I've been toting around with my frozen grapes and a bottle of icy icy water.

Also a wet paper towel or rag on the back
of my neck helps me cool down quickly!

vcabbyw · June 2016

We had a week of hot weather last week. I
Just couldn't keep cool and felt like I was constantly dehydrated. My midwife suggested adding a small amount of juice, or fruit to my water. Or an electrolyte drink, or making my own. She says our metabolism is running faster when pregnant and sometimes the extra nutrients in water can help our bodies absorb more. It's definitely true.

I mixed up a few batches of "labor aide" last week using sea salt, lemons, honey and powdered magnesium.

Make sure your well rested. I had to eat smaller meals more often to combat the fatigue while hot.

MKJeffrey2002 · June 2016

Keeping my neck cool is the number one thing that keeps me from passing out so I agree with everyone else, hair up for sure. If you have ear ringing or dizziness make sure to sit down and cool off.

Chcaggie1 · June 2016

I saw a pinterest post about freezing your flip flops before you wear them in summer. I thought that was rather brilliant.

Schell2013 · June 2016

We splurged and got AC which has been absolutely wonderful but my kids love being outside so I'm outside a lot. I filled a wave pool up with water and I sit there with my feet in the water and sometimes use a cloth to wet my head a bit and my neck. I also try to drink a normal sized water bottle every hour I'm outside when it's super hot. We don't have super bad heat, it's usually breezy but it's just enough that when your 6 months pregnant it's sucks.

jbal918 · June 2016

Totally following this! I'm a supervisor for the local recreation camp and it's my first year. I needed to work summer and it pays more than my summer photography job and isn't weekends! Good thing is, 2 days out of the week is swim day and I go too!

At my regular job, (teaching), I sometimes put an icepack on the back of my neck at recess if I feel myself getting too hot.

*edited to add

LauraPCOS · June 2016

OH another tip - if the bathroom has paper towel instead of the hand dryers, wet the paper towel with as cold as water as possible (maybe even bring in some ice water) and then after ringing it out put it on the back of your neck. It will help too.

Mintz1982 · June 2016

I put ice packs on my feet and neck when ever I'm sitting down

nsquaredlife13 · June 2016

Ice packs. Cold towels -- wet, freeze, and then enjoy. Dairy Queen. Air Conditioning. Beach or Pool.

It was 111 yesterday at my house.

kellercourtney44 · June 2016

Here is a 10 day forecast for where I live. I will be spending time indoors. Arizona is literally hotter than hell.

Kaytee1087 · June 2016

@kellercourtney44 Well at least my outdoor wedding isn't in THAT weather! lol Thanks for the perspective! I'll just go be grateful for my 88° and partly cloudy lol.

kellercourtney44 · June 2016

@kaytee1087 I wont discredit your heat just cause mine is unlivable lol. plus don't forget your sunblock, you can sunburn on cloudy days too! :-)

kmvisioli · June 2016

Yes, definitely bring sunscreen! You burn so much faster while pregnant!

von1976 · June 2016

I've always loved the heat, but oof, it's starting to feel hot out there! I jut applied for our pool passes at our community pool. We've lived here going on four years and I've never once gotten a pass or used the pool. That's how desperate I'm getting!

AshleyGemini24 · June 2016

When possible take off your shoes. Just like in the winter time when heat escapes your fingers and toes the quickest, the same applies in the summertime. I've heard of peope putting their panties in the feeezer before wearing them, but to me that is a little bizzarre. Wet towels on your neck, and suncreen. And plenty of water.

ecpdvm · June 2016

I just wrote an article on this too (although now that I'm rereading it it doesn't seem all that helpful). Basically, my advice was to drink lots of water, use (safe) sunscreen, and don't go outside. That sounds really obvious now that I'm actually typing it out. No Pulitzer for me for this one, I guess. whomp whomp

westcoastfoodie · June 2016

You guys. I'm getting this pool AS SOON as it is back in stock. Until then, my kiddie wading pool will have to do. ETA: Found this on Walmart's website in case anyone is also interested!

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/us/6yb8qk1trge6.jpeg

UponAStar16 · June 2016

That pool looks awesome! We have a regular blowup wading pool that (assuming it didn't crack anywhere sitting for so long not being used) we should break out. Question for those who use blowup pools...what do you do to avoid mosquitos (not Zika fears even, just a general summer issue) if you don't want to waste all the water/empty to store after using just for a day?

And,....

westcoastfoodie · June 2016

@UponAStar16 I think my mom used to just put a little bleach in ours growing up. I only really plan to use ours on the weekend so I think our plan is to just fill it up each week and use the water for the garden and lawn throughout the week.

MKJeffrey2002 · June 2016

Should have taken my own advice. Went last night to hang on rooftop with DH and some friends. 10 min in and started to get dizzy and then my knees gave out. DH caught me before I hit the floor. It was scary. I passed out during my glucose test last pregnancy (surprisingly I passed so not sure why I passed out) but this was the first time ever in an public place. DH was amazing and got me indoors to sit, cool down, and calm down asap but definitely be careful out there ladies. I had chugged water all day long at work, eaten just before heading up, so I never dreamed I would have a reaction to the heat that fast.

mrszoess · June 2016

water, frog tog cooling towels, and my 33oz insulated jug of water (I take 2 to work)

my office also has crazy AC so I am so excited this summer. Also since my transfer im less than a mile from the ocean and we get an insane breeze which keeps things cool. perfect timing

LauraPCOS · June 2016

@MKJeffrey2002 I'm glad you're okay!! Definitely scary! I'm a little worried for this weekend because it's suppose to get hot with humidity and last week, even though I drank a ton of water, had a cool shower, and sprayed myself with the hose, I still ended up puking from the heat and taking a good day and a half to recover. Definitely going to use the frozen water bottle suggestion for sleeping this weekend.

MKJeffrey2002 · June 2016

LauraPCOS said:

@MKJeffrey2002 I'm glad you're okay!! Definitely scary! I'm a little worried for this weekend because it's suppose to get hot with humidity and last week, even though I drank a ton of water, had a cool shower, and sprayed myself with the hose, I still ended up puking from the heat and taking a good day and a half to recover. Definitely going to use the frozen water bottle suggestion for sleeping this weekend.

Thank you!! It happened so fast it was scary. I'm going to be overly cautious from now on when it comes to heat.

mrszoess · June 2016

hit target, marshalls, homegoods. 33 oz of fluid and on clearance for 8 bucks! keeps it cold ALL DAY

mothernorth · June 2016

Anybody else ever start blacking out in the shower if the water is too hot? This has happened to me several times, I never went all the way out, but had to turn off the water and lay down in the tub and cool off until my muscle strength, vision, and overall functionality fully returned.

UponAStar16 · June 2016

@AllyTheKid yep, I almost fell over and out but grabbed the edge/shelf thing just in time when it first happened...now I don't even try hot and stick to warm for showers

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Surviving the Heat

Re: Surviving the Heat

Fell in love: Dec 2005 // Married: Feb 9, 2013

Little Miss Rosalie Harper--Born Jan 9th, 2014

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