Now that summer has arrived in the UK, it can get pretty hot (well, by British standards). Summer here can also bring heatwaves where the temperature can really be high for a short period. Sky news says we can expect up to 34c in some places today.

Temperature comfort is a subjective matter. We’ll encounter people who thrive in the heatwave, and those like me who struggle.

This article isn’t intended to scare anyone or to preach – its primarily a signposting list.  Its an aspect that can still impact wellbeing and mental health, particular if we are too hot, we can easily become frustrated and it can impact mood.

Why is a heatwave a problem?

The main risks posed by a heatwave are: 

not drinking enough water (dehydration) 

overheating, which can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart or breathing

heat exhaustion and heatstroke

How to stay cool in a heatwave

Staying cool during a heatwave isn’t just about comfort, it can be about safety too. Extreme temperatures can be harmful to health, particularly with some underlying medical conditions.

I’ve a few articles to signpost for you:

Keeping cool – Huffington post

Top tips – Sky News

Sunburn isn’t just red skin – Tips on sun burn from Sky News

Heatwave risks to Dogs – it isn’t just humans effected. BBC

Sleeping in a heatwave

Sleep is critical for our health, both physical and mental. The high temperatures of heatwaves can often impact our ability to get good quality sleep.

Head over to the T3 website for a great article looking at tips to sleep well in a heatwave.

Here is a short extract from the article

“The UK is set for a heatwave, and while the opportunity to shed some layers and head to the park with an ice lolly is welcome, it’s not so much fun when it comes to dropping off at night. Sleeping in a heatwave is rarely easy – especially if you’ve got a window that gets the sun in the afternoon and turns your bedroom into an oven – but there are some tricks to employ that can help.”