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interesting topic- keeping cool & sun protection

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Posted 7/6/2014 4:52 AM (GMT 0)
Someone recently posted about how rough it is to protect from the sun in this hot weather.
I thought it would be great to discuss our methods for dealing with this.
I miss shorts and tank tops personally, but I've gotten used to the long sleeves and head covers.

I keep my house temperture higher (77 degrees) so the temperture difference isn't such a change for me when I leave the house. Saves electricity too.
I wear the lightest weight clothing with UV protection available.
I never go out during the sun's zenith (11am-4pm).
If I have to sit outside for a long time I carry a large sunbrella and get under the shade.
I drink lot's of ice water.
Posted 7/6/2014 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
I use a sunblock with 60 spf and re-apply it often. I'm very fair to begin with so I have always been very careful of my sun exposure unless I'm throwing caution to the wind which sometimes I will. (my recent vacation, being the case in point lol).

I have what I call my movie star wide brimmed hat and cover ups. I prefer finding a shady spot rather than covering up though and am generally successful that way.

Being a fair skinned red head people usually understand if I'm scoping out a shady spot so I don't feel like such a freak and like I'm centering myself out. I just say I can't do sun and they laugh and say no doubt!!! My friends and family usually have a shady spot at the ready for me at get togethers which means the world to me.

Beach umbrellas are a must for me. I create my own shade if I have to. If the heat gets too much I will either get into the air conditioning for a few or spritz myself with a spray bottle full of water. That's been quite popular with everyone, I will pass it around. Lupey or not we all get over heated! Or I'll jump in the lake or pool or whatever is near by. We have to be resourceful!

I've found I have a window of about 10-20 minutes where I'm okay in the sun and I'm ever mindful of that. Otherwise it really takes a toll.

Oh and driving, I have to put on sunblock before I drive any distance longer than 10-20 minutes on a hot, sunny day. My left arm and leg will burn and blister up like crazy in the car!!! I have a facecloth I keep in there to lay on my arm if it's too long. It's cooler than long sleeves.

I'm allergic to cold so air conditioning isn't good for me either. Only if it's set to the higher 70's.

Allergic to cold and the sun.... Yep. Good times.
Posted 7/6/2014 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
couchtater, thank you for making this topic. :) I will be keeping my eye on it.

acquiesce said...
I'm allergic to cold so air conditioning isn't good for me either. Only if it's set to the higher 70's.

Allergic to cold and the sun.... Yep. Good times.

I have the opposite problem. I am heat sensitive. My house is kept cool (68 in the winter and about 70 in the summer). If I overheat, I will pass out or swell up, or just feel sick. One year, I did too much and suffered heat exhaustion (I was moving and it was about July). I have learned over the years how to not overheat. In the winter, I usually wear clothes that button up and breathe (with a sleeveless or short sleeve shirt underneath it). I also *always* have my hair off my neck (I have long hair, so it is actually easier to keep it out of the way).

Right now, I feel like I can't win either way. I can protect myself from the heat and wear clothing that will expose me to the sun, or I can protect myself from the sun and wear clothing that will make me hot.

As I said, I will be watching this.
Posted 7/6/2014 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
Some stores will trigger me over the edge if I've gotten too much sun -- Ikea comes to mind although any store with bright overhead lighting will do it -- for these I avoid long lingering shopping strolls and leave on good sunglasses.

I can feel a tightening around the eyes and sometimes an instant headache with the same follow up 'crash' as 2-3 hours in the sun. An after-store fatigue day may follow if I stay too long.

Quickly following (or even preceding) exposure with ibuprofen (for inflammation) can sometimes help alleviate the crash.
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