Tag Archives: heat

Jul30

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot

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Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot

Hello! I often mention that summer is my least favorite season to dress for, but it is also my least favorite season in general. I am on a hefty dose of a hefty amount of medications for my mental health and Every. Single. One. of them makes me more susceptible to heat related illnesses. Merely stepping outside on an uber hot day or returning home to my uber hot apartment when temperatures spike is enough to send me into a woozy tailspin. This was most certainly the case for me this past week because we went from lovely eighty degree days to ninety plus degree temps and the sudden change caught me off guard. So much so, that I wasn’t following any of the precautions I have perfected over the years. I DEFINITELY need to be better about this and if you do too or need advice, let’s go through a few friendly reminders:

Recognize your symptoms:

When I am starting to overheat, it goes from bad to worse quite quickly. This is why it’s SO important to recognize your tells when it is really hot out. For me, it usually starts with a wave of dizziness, followed by sudden fatigue, and finally an intense heaviness in my legs. As soon as your first tell reveals itself, Do. Not. Ignore. It!! This is your warning sign to get yourself to a cool area ASAP. If I am out and about, this means getting myself into a store because they always have crispy AF AC. If I am at home, I retreat to the bedroom because it is the only space in my apartment that has a measly AC unit. It’s amazing how much better I feel after a half hour or so in a cool environment!

ABS (Always Be Sipping!):

If you don’t already have a favorite tumbler mug or Stanley cup, I cannot recommend getting one enough and sipping often. My water intake has increased exponentially since I began toting a mug with me everywhere I go and the effects are noticeable when I forget to take one with me to work. Should you forget, swing by a gas station en route to wherever you’re going for a few bottles of water. You’ll be thanking yourself when your temperature is better regulated all day.

Take it easy:

It’s SO easy to forget to take it easy when everyone else is having fun in the sun. However, it is SO important to take it easy and take breaks frequently if you are more prone to overheating than your peers. If you are on the go, try and find a spot to cool off at least every hour. You can also start planning outdoor activities according to the coolest times of the day. Perhaps you take your dog for a walk first thing in the morning. Maybe that means playing outdoor games with friends in the evening instead of the middle of the afternoon. Make smart decisions with your plans and know when to say no or suggest a different time of the day if you fear the activity might be too much for you. You know yourself best!

Cold treats:

Every summer, cold showers and Popsicles are the name of my game for instant relief. Whatever your go to is, don’t be afraid to break it out as often as you see fit. When I get home from work, the first thing I do is grab a Popsicle from the freezer. Spoiling my dinner be damned because as soon as an ice pop hits my lips, I start feeling better. Maybe it’s in my head, maybe the Popsicles and cold showers really are working some magic. Whatever your relief is, keep it handy so you can start your cooling off process ASAP.

I have been over summer since it started but even more so now considering I almost fainted several times last week. Stay cool, stay safe, and stay hydrated regardless of if you are more susceptible to the heat or not. Fall can’t come soon enough!

Do you thrive in the heat or wilt? What is your favorite way to cool off? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul20

Summer Safety Pro Tips

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Summer Safety Pro Tips

Hello!! I am one of those people who don’t do well in the heat at all. Part of it is definitely a low tolerance and some of it has to do with the fact that literally each medication I’m on makes me more susceptible to heat related illnesses. As someone who is constantly on the go, I oftentimes forget to not push myself so hard on extra hot days. Then, by the time I realize I should take a breather the damage is already done and a strong case of the woozies comes on. This is not a good thing because it’s something that can be completely prevented and I know I, for one, need to do a better job of listening to my body. If you struggle with the heat too, please make sure you are doing the following to keep yourself safe:

Eat Up:

My appetite decreases during the hot weather and it’s easy to feel like you’re full if you are hydrating consistently throughout the day. However, your body needs food for fuel so bypassing meals even if you don’t feel hungry is a huge no no. If you are feeling full, you should still try and have a snack if you haven’t ate in several hours. It doesn’t have to be a full on meal, but you could have veggies and hummus, yogurt, a bowl of cereal – whatever you’d like. Of course, it is against everything we learn as a kid to stop eating if you are full. But if it has been a minute and it’s really hot out, you’ll be thanking yourself for having a snack when you avoid getting lightheaded or fainting. (This happened to me a few days ago and it was SO scary!) 

Water, Water, Water:

I consider myself to be the Caffeine Queen and am always sipping on coffee or pop throughout the morning. This is fine, but you will be doing yourself no favors if you aren’t replenishing yourself with plenty of water after each cup of go go juice. If you love your morning caffeine bursts too, take your time with each coffee or soda drink rather than throwing it back. Nurse it, balance it out with sips of water, and monitor yourself during your daily caffeine intake. Too much too suddenly can give you the jitters, make you nauseous, or feel faint. Not the best way to start the day.

R&R:

It’s always important to allow yourself time for a break each day, but even more so during the summer. It’s hot AF, you’re sweating, and it can make you feel depleted quickly. If you are outside, go in every hour or so to hydrate and cool off. If you are going nonstop for work, be sure to take a few minutes to slow down and relax. More often than not, that exhaustion is going to hit you out of nowhere and that’s not a good place to be during your commute, job, or out and about. Pencil in designated break times per day and if you need a moment, take it immediately instead of holding off.

Enjoy Responsibly:

Like caffeine, alcohol and cannabis hits way differently when it’s hot out and can increase your chances of dehydration or even heat stroke. If you are going to partake in a more recreational pastime, do so responsibly. Take the time to get yourself out of the heat, hydrate, and sip or smoke at a slow pace. Your “I’m good” amount is subject to change when it’s hot as the dickens so stay in tune to how you are feeling to prevent any problems!

Summer is not over yet even though I am totally over it lol. Keep yourself safe and healthy with these tips!

What are your summer safety pro tips? How do you like to cool off? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov25

Don’t Make These Common Errors With Your Heating System This Winter

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At this time of the year, it’s vital to switch on your heating system. After all, the weather is freezing so you need it on to ensure that your family stays nice and toasty. However, a lot of people make errors when it comes to their heating system and they pay the price when their bill arrives. Here are some common errors people make with their heating system so that you can avoid them!

Not Getting it Checked out Before Switching it on: It’s easy to turn on your heating system and then walk away without a second’s thought. But do you know if your system is working efficiently? Before you switch on your heater, you need to make sure you get the heating system checked out by a professional. They will check for any problems and will make sure that you won’t end up with a high bill. Also, in between maintenance appointments, make sure you are changing your air filter which can become clogged up with dust over time which restricts the airflow. And as this feature explains, the longer it goes on, it will be harder to keep your home at the right temperature.

heating repair services

Setting it to High All Day Long: A lot of people switch their heating system on high during the winter due to the freezing weather. But if you do this, you will end up with an expensive bill. Make sure you get a thermostat installed which will let you adjust the heating during the day. That way, it can be on low when your family is outside of the home. It will stop you from having to set it to high for the whole day. And remember, putting it on high won’t make the furnace heat your home any quicker so be patient with your heating system!

Not Replacing it When Necessary: You need to make sure that you are replacing your old heating system when it’s past its sell-by date. Furnaces tend to last around 18 years, but if you are noticing problems, it might be time to get a new one. Safety for your family is paramount in this situation. You can find lots of information online about new systems available such as on furnaceprices.ca. There are even some great high-tech options which would be perfect for your family!

Another thing to note is the importance of replacing the heating oil when necessary to avoid not having heat on a cold winter’s day. You can save yourself a lot of hassle in this regard when you look into the auto delivery benefits of getting oil bought right to your door once a month (or whenever you may require it).

Not Making Sure the Doors and Windows are Air Sealed: It can be frustrating when your home seems to be freezing even though your heating is on. But rather than turning the heating higher (it will cost a fortune), you should ensure that your doors and windows are properly sealed. That way, no air is escaping during the winter months. You can buy some excellent sealing products from hardware stores. And remember to keep doors closed while the heating is on to retain the temperature. Just don’t forget to keep hoovering as well-sealed doors and windows can cause the air to go stale. As I said before, during this time, you might find more dust in your home.

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***AND: Remember to get a good carbon monoxide alarm put next to your furnace. That way, it will alert you if there is an issue!