Heat Lagging
The heat has hit me like a building crashing down around me. It changes everything I do. Somehow I don’t remember last year being so hot, but I know it was, and I think I just didn’t go out very often. Now that I am driving all over town, man, the heat KILLS me.
I just checked Weather Underground for Kuwait and the temperatures (Fahrenheit for my US readers) is going to be between 107 and 114 for the next five days. Kuwait DOES cool down at night more than Doha, but if you are outside after nine in the morning, you feel like a steak thrown into a hot frying pan to sear. It is sizzling hot!
I find myself trying to get everything done I need to get done early in the day. Sometimes when I get home, get the groceries put away – I need a NAP! I feel like I’ve run a marathon! It’s embarrassing to be so effected by the heat, but I am.
If I have had things going on and don’t get a nap, then by nine my head is nodding. I can be in the middle of a great book, a thrilling movie or a nail biting tv program . . . it doesn’t matter. Sleep calls me like a siren; I can’t resist, I crash. Around three in the morning, having had six hours of great sleep – Hey! here I am! wide awake!
Even my husband, born in the heat of the south, who gets cold easily, even my husband who never complains about the heat – told me this morning he hated the thought of having to walk today from here to there because of the heat. I can hear him wheezing a little at night. We no longer have the dust storm of earlier this week, but the residual dust has made breathing a little harder. I hear a lot of my friends wheezing mildly, too.
It’s just like jet lagging. I’ve got to get it under control, and I’m at a loss. I think most of my friends cope with the heat – by leaving! Others stay inside most of the summer – even the thought of meeting up with a friend for coffee during the day just seems like too much trouble, when I think of the hot hot hot walk from car to air conditioned mall or restaurant!
How do you cope with the heat?
Does your life change?
Do your hours change?
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I deal with the heat by staying indoors most of the time. I wouldn’t advise you to try to run all kinds of errands in the morning. I am Kuwaiti and when I need to go in and out of the car in the heat it really makes me tired. The car can’t keep up with the heat if you don’t put it under the shade somewhere every time you go back into the car you have to wait for it to cool down again. Do you cover your windows when you leave the car btw? That definitely helps to keep it cooler.
Can’t you try to limit whatever you have to do during the day and sleep in and start your day after 5?
Ooof. We got some of that Kuwaiti heat last night, I think – its unseasonably hot here this morning, and _dry_, which for Beirut is very odd.
I love the term ‘heat lagging’ – that’s exactly what it is, and what it feels like!
like 1001 said, try and find some shade for your car, it makes a big difference. even one of those sunshield reflector thingys make a difference.
i too prefer to get things done in the morning, if i do go out. just remember to drink lots of water before you go out and during, carry some with you and wear a big airy hat. apparently by the time we’re thirsty we’re already 1/3 dehydrated.
i think its mostly a loss of water that makes you drowsy so drink up 😀
and definately try to stay indoors between 12 and 330pm.
Unseasonably hot this year, I admit. But think on the bright side…lots of fun on the beach! Which I will do next week (could only take a day off for that) 😉
Anyhow, do what I always do every summer. Always keep a spare set of clothes in the car. When the set you’re wearing is soaked through, hang them off the car’s antennae & wear the fresh ones! (kidding i dont, i just change my shirt.)
1001 – Good suggestions – I have one of those window things, but I have been too lazy to use it. Guess it’s time.
As for going out after 5 – you mean drive the mean streets of Kuwait AT NIGHT??? You have so much courage! I know you don’t even think twice about it, but I am just proud to be able to get around during the day!
Little Diamond – Do you have A/C in Beirut?
Skunk – good reminder about the water. Just another thing to remember. I often have to go back and get my phone, and I can see how water could be even more critical. . .
Mini R – Woooo Hooooo, wouldn’t that give Kuwait a thrill, me driving around with my shirt on my antenna??? Oh, wait, wear the spare shirt. Yeh, now I get it.
Seriously, the beach? Like 15 minutes and your skin is burnt crisp? How do you protect your skin?
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