9 simple ways to survive a heatwave

If you live anywhere in Europe, you’ve probably been experiencing extreme heat for a couple of months now. Here in Scotland it’s been extraordinarily hot for us, with temperatures over 30C in parts of the country. Now, I know that’s not as severe as in some places, but we’re simply not used to it here.

So, if you’ve been struggling to manage these heatwaves, I’ve put together some tips you should be able to use straightaway. I’ve lived in parts of West Asia where I learned how to cope with hot weather, and now I’m happy to share those ideas with you. 

Home made ice lollies

Shop bought ice lollies and ice creams are all well and good, but if you’re eating them often, it gets expensive. Making your own is easier than you’d ever believe. I bought these squeezable silicon moulds from Lakeland Plastics; you can fill them with whatever you fancy, pop the lid on and after a few hours in the freezer, sigh with pleasure at their icy joy.

In the photo above, I’ve simply combined Greek yoghurt with a handful of fresh raspberries, squished them about a bit, spooned the mixture into the mould and popped them in the freezer. How easy is that? 

You could try banana and honey, or cubes of mango with a squeeze of lime. Switching the yoghurt for a tin of Ambrosia custard (possibly only British readers will know this brand) will make for a creamier treat, which could be adorned with chocolate chips or toffee chunks for a decadent delight.

Have a play and see what you can create!

Loose linen or cotton clothes

Now that extended periods of hot weather are becoming more common in previously cool-ish countries, it’s probably worth looking at your summer wardrobe. How many tops, t-shirts, shirts and trousers do you have that are made from synthetic fabrics?

I know they can be soft and look great, but synthetic fabrics aren’t your friend in the heat. They just don’t breathe. Sportswear can perform differently though, so if you have clothes made from sweat wicking fabric, you might be okay.

Linen, cotton and blends of the two are the coolest and most comfortable for lots of folk, especially garments in loose styles. You can find drawstring linen trousers for supreme tummy comfort, and pair with a flowing shirt for maximum air circulation. If your budget doesn’t run to new linen clothes, and they can be pricey, have a look on Vinted or Thrift for second hand steals.

Cool foot baths

If your feet are cool, the rest of your body will be too.

The easiest way to manage this is by placing a bowl of water with a big towel tucked under it, on the floor where you sit. If you work from home, you could do this at your desk, or if you work out of the house, try it sitting on your sofa when you get home.

Swish your feet around in the cool (not cold) water, moving it around your ankles too. And while you’re doing this, try to picture a tranquil watery scene somewhere. Could it be a beautiful beach where you can think of the gentle waves lapping and the scent of sunblock? Or a shaded babbling brook, under ancient oak trees, the wind whispering in their branches?

The feel of the cool water and the power of your imagination can be incredibly soothing and refreshing. Just a few minutes will do the trick. 

And then take your feet out of the bowl and let them dry on the towel. When you start feeling warm again, pop your feet back into the water. Repeat as often as you like across the day. You can use the water for your plants at the end of the day.

Close curtains and windows on the sunny side of your house

Houses in hot countries are designed to be relatively comfortable in peak sunshine season. But here in the UK, our homes are definitely not. So we need to give them a bit of help.

Closing the windows and curtains on the sunny side of your flat or house, will help keep heat out when it’s at its fiercest. Then open the windows and curtains again when the sun moves round, or it feels cooler outside than in. 

You might prefer the movement of warmer air to cooler still air. If so, try closing your curtains but leaving your windows open.

The heat generated by the sun shining fully into a room is incredible. Avoid at all costs during a heatwave.

Watering plants

Fair enough, you might not have a garden. But do you have some indoor plants? Taking your time to water any greenery you have – especially early morning or evening – can be a lovely activity when it’s hot. 

While you’re watering, think about the plant you’re nurturing. How the fresh green lifts your spirits when you look at it. Consider the marvel of plants – of all life really – and watch the stream of water replenishing the soil.

If you have container grown plants in your garden, they will need a LOT of water during these heat spikes. Could you move them to a shadier part of your garden? You can always move them again when the extreme heat subsides.

Move a bit slower

Not exactly ground breaking, is it? But we tend to have one speed we move at, and forget to make adjustments when it’s hot.

Bending and stretching to hang out the washing. Pushing a pram through the park. Walking your dog. These are all activities we can gently slow the pace of a wee bit when it’s a heatwave.

In hot countries, people stop work and rest when the sun’s at its peak. I know we don’t often have the luxury of that in the UK, but we can at least slow things down a little to help ourselves. 

Cooling flannels

Super easy, this one. Most of us have facecloths or flannels. If you don’t, a clean tea towel or drying cloth will work just as well.

Soak it in cool water, then wring it out and place it over your forehead, around your neck, on your chest—or all three. This technique is the same as when someone has a fever and you’re trying to bring their temperature down. It’s very simple, yet effective.

Different soft drinks

Lots of folk I know are simply drinking gallons of iced coffee to cool themselves down. And while I can see the appeal, all that caffeine isn’t going to help. So what could you try as an alternative?

Cordials feel like more luxurious and grown up versions of the squash you probably drank when you were a child. You can find luscious fruity ones and aromatic herbal ones to mix with tap water, sparkling water or how about trying tonic water?

If you have any edible flowers growing in your garden, you could try placing one in each section of an ice cube tray and topping up with water. Fancy ice cubes make everything feel more bearable. Borage, pansy and calendula work well here.

Matcha’s a great alternative to coffee, if you’re trying to consume a tiny bit less caffeine. Layered with fruit purees and delicious milk alternatives, matcha drinks can be super refreshing to sip on if you have to deal with towns and cities in the heat.

Obviously, water is by far and away the best drink to hydrate yourself with, so it’s important to keep quaffing that too.

Refreshing perfumes

Last, but most definitely not least, are perfumes. Maybe not a priority, but smelling something bright and fresh will definitely revive your jaded and sweaty spirits.

For over 200 years, the makers of 4711 cologne have delighted and invigorated millions of people with their signature scent. Sunshine-bright with citrus and soothing with lavender and rosemary, you can splash 4711 around liberally as it’s such tremendous value for money. Soak a hanky in it, add some to your cooling footbath, or dab it on your t-shirt; all will lift your mood on sweltering days.

And if you’re looking for something less commercial, you could try Eau Noble by Le Galion, which I’ve written about in my piece about perfumes for languid summer days.

Here’s a wee snippet:

Silvery green fir tree tops scattered with lemon sorbet and sprinkled with fresh mint. A bracing, mineral infused breeze sweeps down from an ancient glacier. Standing in a pile of wood shavings, and cosy in a woolly jersey, a woodcutter swings their axe for the first time that day. 

So, there we have it. 9 simple ways to survive a heatwave. I hope you’ve discovered a couple of new ideas to try. And I really hope you feel more comfortable soon.