Another sweltering hot day in the Midlands. Some people are cool, calm & collected…
Some of us turn into a radish on legs, at anything above 21c. Today it’s been 29c, and I have definitely been part beetroot/part human!
Working as a Celebrant for the last few years, means sometimes working outdoors. I’ve learned a few tips that might help you avoid looking like any bright red fruit or vegetable. Instead let’s shuffle towards being cool as a cucumber.
So what helps?
*If we’re aiming to be more cucumber than radish, let’s start with cucumber itself. Add a few slices to your water bottle. Tuck a few sprigs of mint in there as well, or maybe a lemon slice, and chill it in the fridge overnight. It’s cheap, delicious and genuinely feels cooling to drink.
Also someone will ask you why you have half the garden in your water bottle… then you can pass the tip along.
*More water. Use an old spray bottle, filled with tap water and a little rose water. You’ll find cheap rose water in many grocery stores, and it lasts for ages. Liberally spritz yourself all over with this home made spray, under and over your clothes, several times a day if you’re working outdoors. It’s so refreshing and helps you to cool down.
*Soak a thin cotton scarf in cold water, and drape it around the back of your neck. I then cover this with a larger patterned scarf that looks smart for a service, whilst concealing my boy scout technique for cooling the body’s core. As I type this, I have one on… blissfully cool.
*Those gel headache strips are a great thing to have just in case. When it’s truly sweltering in a 38c forecast, I stick a couple of these on my back, hidden by smart dresses. They definitely keep you a little cooler for a few hours. But keep an eye on where exactly they are, as they can move around – I’ve often been asked why I’ve got a blue rectangle stuck to my leg!
*Finally, it’s always a good idea to have a clean handkerchief tucked somewhere, to discretely dab away the ‘sweat moustache’ that may appear when you really don’t want it to!
*Oh, and if you’re working from home, put cold water in a bowl and stick your feet in it. Deliciously cooling, and just blame any splashing sounds on ‘the mermaids’ to baffle your colleagues…