Staying Cool in the Heat

Hot Sick Girl Summer is here!

Scratch that, I mean Hot Sick Person Summer is here!

One thing about me is I am a finicky one when it comes to temperature.

Too hot? I am a bitch on wheels.

Too cold? I am a bitch on ice skates. :)

Heat insensitivity was something I picked up from MS relatively quickly. Cold insensitivity came much later. Both are fairly common with MS.

When I get too hot, MS symptoms like fatigue, weakness, dizziness, brain fog, and more all go through the roof. It is a legit issue.

Fun fact: It was even in our self written marriage vows that my husband would always drop me off so I could get in the AC quick before parking (or park close) when we are out in the high temps. That’s how big of a deal the heat is for me.

Like many people with MS, heat insensitivity poses quite the conundrum. While your increased symptoms will dissipate as you cool down, it is still a big ass inconvenience.

I like being outside, feeling the sun rays warm my skin and getting dirty in the garden, BUT my body doesn’t. I’m not one to shy down from a challenge though, so once it warms up I deploy my Hot Sick Person Summer Hacks (say that 5 times fast).

I’m not here to keep secrets either…so read about ‘em below. And, I’m betting if you are reading this you may be heat intolerant and have a few hacks of your own - add them in the comments (if you want) so we can all learn from each other.

Hot sick person summer hacks

Prepare

Strategically plan your day around being in the heat by allowing for extra cool down time to rest, hydrate and recharge before and after.

Try hanging in the AC before you head out to buy you extra time before the heat becomes problematic - like when you are freezing in an office building in the summer and once you get outside it takes a while to defrost.

Dress Cool

You know those moisture wicking clothes? Well they are great at keeping you dry, but can also trap heat. Fabrics like cotton, linen, silk or modal are your best bets for staying cool. Make sure your outfit of the day is breathable, light colored and loose to beat the heat. Mesh panels on clothes and/or shoes are great too. I may just be abnormally sensitive but I notice a big difference in my body heat from wearing sneakers + socks compared to sandals so don’t forget your footwear matters too!

Also, hats can do wonders. I have been wearing my baseball hats from the LIFT by Sam Shop and while I am biased, they do make a big difference too! I love that I can sneak a cooling headband underneath them and feel all Chronically Badass while I am braving the warm temps. If you are curious, you can check all the hats out here - https://www.samanthasalvaggio.com/shop/hats

Make sure to wear sunscreen too. No one needs a sunburn on top of heat intolerance!

Find Shade

This is a no brainer, but look for shady spots where you can take a water or rest break. It can be helpful to set up a home base here too. For example, when working in the garden I set up a little rest spot on the shady side of the house. That’s where I keep my ice water, a cooler with ice packs, cold snacks and anything else I might need. That way when I am hot, annoyed and in need of a break, I don’t have to spend time or energy looking for shade or gathering everything I need to cool down.

Refreshing Drinks

Obviously, hydration is important. Get a nice big insulated water bottle and fill it with ice and water and drink drink drink. If you want to add some pizazz, you can add cucumbers, lemon, frozen berries, mint or whatever else. The big thing here is to keep your body hydrated. The heat is a stress on your body and it needs all hands on deck (or in this case be hydrated) to operate as best as possible. Drinks with electrolytes can be helpful too. And, try to minimize caffeine, alcohol since it can be more dehydrating. I am not saying to go without, just find a balance, like alternating between one alcoholic or caffeinated drink and one full glass of water.

Snack Attacks

Eating lighter meals or snacks with a higher water content can be helpful in that they will help hydrate you and won’t be overly filling or heavy when you are burning up outside. Freezing fruit like grapes or berries is one of my favorite summer snacks. My other go to’s are using cold cucumbers as chips for guacamole and salsa and having cold melon with mint and lemon as a snack. Bonus points if the guacamole and salsa are spicy - spicy foods can actually help keep you cool! Popsicles are another great choice too. :)

Pick Cooler Times and Take Breaks

This likely goes without saying, but just a reminder, go out when it is naturally cooler like the morning or night. Also, and this is important, speaking from experience it is 1734547% better to take a break BEFORE you think you need one instead of waiting until you are in dire need of one. It is a whole lot easier to stay ahead of it vs. making up for lost ground. So just do it - take the break.

Cooling Accessories

Options for cooling accessories are endless in my opinion. Every year it feels like more and more products become available. Let’s start with cooling accessories. There are wrist bands, head bands, ankle wraps, bra inserts, vests, neck ties and way way more. First, let me start with my favorites (these are real reviews, I don’t make any commissions on any products mentioned below) then I will get into other resources.

My top thing that I use all the time are the headbands, wrist wraps and cooling vests from Oro Sports I am obsessed with how low profile and effective they are. The co-founder, Luanne’s brother has MS and Oro Sports was the solution to the heat intolerance issues he faced. The mix of technology, streamlined design and passion really shines through in everything they make.

I also use the bra inserts from Polar Products. I like them because they are no-show and help keep my core cool without the need to wear a vest. They are key (in my opinion) at the garden or beach because they wont leave any tan lines either. #priorities

If you want to see other options for cooling accessories and companies, here is a full vendor list with discount codes from the National MS Society

And if you are looking for financial assistance for cooling accessories, MS Navigators at the National MS Society may be able to help.

Additional help obtaining cooling accessories may also be found through Multiple Sclerosis Association of America.

Fans + Misters

Everyone can benefit from a good fan. Similar to cooling accessories there are so many options, but the benefit of that is you can find one that fits your needs. Personally, I love a good handheld or neck held fan combined with a mister. I usually use a combo of both when I am gardening. Here is an example of one: https://www.amazon.com/HandFan-Handheld-Nightlights-Portable-Rechargeable/dp/B07P43HX84

I also have a mister that attaches to the garden hose, for when I sit outside (or float in the pool). That with a gentle breeze is a game changer.

Sunbathing Pool

Ok, so a few years ago at the end of the summer a small above ground pool was on sale at target for $80. At the time I wanted to be able to sit outside, stay cool, and be away from the wildlife that could theoretically climb/slither onto my lounge chair in the yard. Yes, I am that girl. So I got the pool, and we never looked back. While it does take work to maintain (thank you husband), it is so refreshing to have water to get in for a quick cool down.

Fast forward to this year and I saw these Inflatable Lounging Pools on Amazon and I love love love the idea. Cool water, cushioned base and pillow and a drink holder? Sign me up!

Add your own

We all know staying cool in the heat is a challenge, and per usual a chronic illness adds to the challenge, BUT that doesn’t mean it’s not possible to enjoy the summer. It may just require a little extra finagling to figure out what works for you.

If you have a hack not listed above, share it below! That way we all have a nice resource to go to when we are hot and freaking out. :)