We have always dreamed of having a farm and when we first met we sat down and discussed how we would see our life spanning out. I am pleased to say we are in total agreement that we have a life long plan of retiring to a farm or ranch and living out our days on a porch swing with lots of grandchildren around us!
Seriously I watch too much American TV!
This is our dream though and I am a firm believer of ‘Believe and you will achieve’ … but with all the niceties comes the perils of working outside all summer so here are a few cooling tips!
Simple Tips for Keeping Cool Outdoors This Summer
Keeping cool when you’re busy with outdoor tasks in hot weather can be a real challenge, but for your day-to-day comfort and overall health, it’s one that’s well-worth tackling.
Overheating can cause all sorts of health issues, from headaches, dizziness and fatigue to cramps, poor concentration and fainting, but by taking steps to look after yourself, you can beat the heat to stay healthy and look after your garden.
Here’s a few simple tips for keeping cool this summer:
Chill Your Pulse Points
Pulse points are the places where your blood vessels are close to the surface. By applying a cold compress to them, you can cool your blood and keep your temperature down.
Keep a couple of wet bandanas and sweatbands in the fridge overnight and wear them around your wrists and elbows, across the back of your neck and over your temples any time you start to feel the heat.
Keep a Cool Head
Wearing a wide-brimmed hat will keep direct heat from the top of your head, face and neck but try leaving your hair wet after a shower too. It will help you to keep cool, especially if you use a minty shampoo or body wash.
If your hair is long, make sure it’s tied back so that heat can escape from the back of your neck.
Wear the Right Clothing
Dark colours and robust fabrics might make farm clothing practical, but they can actually absorb and trap heat so swap them for something more summer-friendly.
Look for t-shirts, vests, shirts and shorts made from lightweight fabrics like cotton in light, bright colours. They’ll help air circulate around the body so that heat can escape while the bright colours will reflect the sun’s rays to help you stay cool.
For safety, heavy gardening footwear often needs to be robust and durable but that doesn’t mean it can’t be light and cool too.
Look for ankle boots like the Scafell Lite Class 2 or the Ariat Terrain H20 that are designed to be light, waterproof and breathable. They will let heat and moisture out without letting any in to keep your feet dry, comfortable and protected.
Change Your Working Hours
It’s rare that we get blistering heat here in Britain, but sitting in the cab of a hot tractor or lugging heavy supplies around on a sunny day will tire you quickly so if you can, rearrange your workload to do laborious tasks early in the morning or late in the evening when the day is cooler.
If you really must be out at the hottest times of the day, remember to protect your skin with regular applications of the highest, UV 50+ factor sunscreen available.
Eat and Drink
Drink plenty of water and ensure that you remain properly hydrated with electrolyte solutions. You can buy powders like Dioralyte over the counter, invest in sports drinks or make your own refreshing thirst quenchers at home.
Fresh lemon, lime, orange, watermelon, pineapple and cucumber are all thought to help the body stay cool so chop up your favourites, add them to a jug of iced water and drink them throughout the day.
To keep your drinks chilled when you’re out in your garden, invest in cooler bottles that have built-in freeze sticks that will keep drinks cold without diluting them.
XOXO
Debbie
