Tips on Handling the Heat!

[pumpkin]

So I live in part of the country where most people don't have AC and most of the time it's fine as we'd get one or two really hot/too hot to sleep days and nights and then it would cool back off and be fine. However, we've been hovering in the low 90s and high 80s for a week now, 90s are forecast for all next week, and its not cooling enough at night. We just had the hottest June ever on record for us.

So, I'm not sleeping well, I'm just hot and tired, and don't want to accomplish anything because exerting energy in this sounds awful. I'm trying to leave all the doors and windows open when I'm home, which is sort of helping, but its bad.

I know I'm totally whining, but we're definitely not used to this, so I'll take any tips for staying cool and sleeping!!

[treedimensional]

I take a very cool shower before bed, and sleep in front of a fan. It really helps.

[mrs.jacinthe]

I'm the biggest heat-related whiner EVER, and I live in a place where it is pretty normal to be over 100 in the daytime for 3-4 months.

You actually have to *plan* your window-opening to get the cooler night air in and keep the house cool. We can open east-facing windows here until around 10-10:30am, but then they need to be closed and we need to draw the blinds on the east side of the house. Then we open the west side windows for another 2 hours or so. Once 12:00 or 12:30 rolls around, it's ALL blinds/windows closed. We have ceiling fans, which are great for keeping the air cool.

If you're not sleeping well at night, try making a sort of homemade swamp cooler. Fill a 9x13 pyrex with water and put it in the freezer. Then, at night, put it on a rimmed cookie sheet (this is important because it has to act as a coaster for the baking pan) and set it in front of the fan aimed at you. The fan will blow the cold air coming off the ice at you. It's almost magical.

[pumpkin]

I'm definitely going to use some of these ideas. This weather is just like anything we've ever had in the 30+ years my family has been loving here

And I don't think it helps that I'm in a townhouse, with the bedrooms on the 3rd floor , though once my friend leaves tomorrow I totally envision sleeping downstairs on the couch or on my camping mat on the floor

ETA: I've thought about a portable AC unit, would I'm still considering for sleeping purposes, but wouldn't be great on my main level since the whole level is open and due to window placement would have to go in the kitchen which is the opposite end from the living room, but you know, not far either, lol

[pumpkin]

Jul 3, 2015 11:38:39 GMT -5 @juno said:

Yes! The lower the better. If you know anyone with a basement you can sleep in, I wouldn't be too proud to ask . 

Most people in this area don't have basements either , but I have been seriously considering putting up my tent in my garage (because you know bugs!) and sleeping there. It's the coolest part of my home since the whole back part is underground. LOL

[mrsukyankee]

I feel you pumpkin - we're struggling as well. I'm trying to time the windows open, shades closed thing and get us as cool as possible. It's a struggle!

[littlemisssunshine]

As a Floridian I can not fathom no AC. I would seriously consider a portable AC unit that would at least make it comfortable to sleep at night.

[auntie]

Jul 3, 2015 11:29:45 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

If you're not sleeping well at night, try making a sort of homemade swamp cooler. Fill a 9x13 pyrex with water and put it in the freezer. Then, at night, put it on a rimmed cookie sheet (this is important because it has to act as a coaster for the baking pan) and set it in front of the fan aimed at you. The fan will blow the cold air coming off the ice at you. It's almost magical.

The ticket office in the depot where DS works actually has a pre-A/C set up like this. It's a vintage historical building so they left it in place. He claims it works pretty well. He just has to grab ice from the concession stand before he starts for the day.

pumpkin A cooling towel can be useful for when you're not in bed. Any sporting good store should have these. I always kept one with me when I camped with the scouts this time of year.

[adhdfashion]

Go get a couple window shakers. Seriously you won't regret it at all.