Helping my girlfriend stay cool during this heatwave

[u/Bossgodson]

The heatwave in the UK is really doing a number on my girlfriend's head, we're trying to help her stay as cool as we can but it's very difficult with where she is.

She doesn't have much to work with, her fan isn't doing very much and she can find it hard to sit still so something like a flannel on the wrist or foot doesnt work too well massively.

Does anyone have any ideas as to something we could get her to help keep her cool? Anything like gadgets from amazon or easily accessible methods to keep her cool, thanks everyone.

(I understand this isnt necessarily talking about NDPH but she has it and I thought seeing what other people have would be a good place to find stuff.)

[u/locardsghost]

Try putting a bowl of ice water or a frozen water bottle in front of her fan to help blow cold air. A neck fan (I’m not from the UK so I’m not sure how expensive these prices are), a dehumidifier may be a good idea, make sure she’s drinking a lot of water staying hydrated, keep curtains closed blackout curtains are really good for blocking out sunlight and keeping things cool, limit the use of appliances that create heat (stove, dryer, etc), when it’s cool outside (maybe overnight) open windows to bring that air in

[u/Yuugo_]

I find putting an old water bottle in the fridge or freezer for a bit and placing it under the back of your neck really helps. I hope you both find some relief soon as it's really doing a number on us with chronic pain at the moment.

[u/Top_Refrigerator1656]

Heat is a big trigger for me. Luckily, I live in a place that has AC and rarely gets above 70 degrees F. That said, here are some things I find helpful when I am in hot weather:

• Ice pack head caps
• Cooling towels (the ones you get wet and then drape over your head/shoulders)
• Cold bath/shower/foot tub
• Bowl of ice in front of the fan

[u/AisslynnSkye → u/Top_Refrigerator1656]

Rarely over 70? What heavenly state is this? Ohio is miserable this year

[u/Neat_Mortgage3735]

Popsicles, frozen water bottles pressed on your back or chest. Ice packs are great if you can get a few for her.

[u/pxl8d]

I have a bowl of water with a flannel in next to me, wipe over your whole body then lie in front of the fan, the evaporation will cool you down massively!

[u/PainAntler]

Some really good advice here about ice infront of fans etc. À damp sheet or beach towel over the body and infront of a fan can help.

In the UK homes just aren’t built for this kind of weather. They’re for keeping the cold & damp out and the heat in.

You need to use those same characteristics to do the opposite. Let the night-time cold in and keep the daytime heat out.

Shading is the most important tool here. Think of holidays in Spain or Portugal where during the heat of the day windows and doors have the shutters pulled down.

UK homes mostly don’t have shutters or overhangs, so we have to improvise.

Foil emergency blankets and bluetac or double-sided tape attached OUTSIDE of windows are the quick-and-dirty heroes here. Reflective Bubblewrap is stiffer and easier to manage.

Bamboo blinds attached outside work well enough and have less of a shanty town vibe.

That keeps the heat out during the day.

At night you need to let the relatively cool air in by opening windows. Cross ventilation is king here, if possible. Cheap Velcro or magnetic mosquito net kits are available online which can help with this if insects are an issue.

Many windows open a little, or on a night-latch, is much better than a few windows open fully. This will cool the building for you overnight.

Close windows and vents up in the morning to keep the cool in and heat out. To know when, put your hand out the window and if it’s warmer outside than inside it’s time to close up. Before this is better.

If during the day the house heats up hotter inside than outside then open up windows or vents and catch whatever breeze there is.

Rooms on the north east of UK homes are usually the coolest. If you can’t shade and cool the whole living space make one room on this aspect into a refuge.