COYOTEPRINCE’S GUIDE TO NOT BURN ALIVE
Hi there!
I’m Lydia, a full time disabled artist living in the
heat of the Georgia coastal plains in the US. I’m also goth, autistic,
have mobility/joint issues, have PTSD, am on SSRIs- this laundry list is important to note because all of these are commonly linked to increased HEAT SENSITIVITY!
I was asked how to survive with severe heat sensitivity. So if you are in any similar boats as I or simply are trying to manage under extreme temperatures, here’s a list of techniques I personally employ and vouch for!
UNDERSTAND HUMIDITY
All heat can be dangerous, but humid climates in particular can cause death just from being in them. Look into “wet-bulb temperature”. Put simply, the more humid it is, the harder it is to cool down because of reduced evaporation in the air. Fans and similar evaporative cooling techniques DO NOT WORK in high humidity.
A NOTE ON AUTISM/PTSD
I do not see this mentioned often, but both PTSD and autism commonly have heat sensitivity as a symptom. I can’t give a science-backed reason as to why, but my personal theory is it has to do with our increased intolerance of environmental changes. Most of these tips are tailored to this easily overstimulated experience.
SECTION 1: AT HOME
BLOCK WINDOWS. During heat of the day (usually around 2 PM to 5PM), keep sun-facing windows closed. Invest in blackout curtains. If you cannot buy blackouts right now, tack some old blankets up to block the light as much as possible. If your windows are older, they will likely have reduced ability to keep heat out. How dark this makes your house can affect your mental health after a while, so escaping the house and investing in a SAD lamp helps mitigate this.
KEEP TREATS ON HAND. icecream, popsicles, ice, you know the drill.
LIMIT BEING OUTSIDE. Sadly, this is often the best way to survive extreme heat.
COOL TOWEL. Wet a towel/cloth and put it in the fridge or freezer for a while. Wear around the neck or apply to your torso for quick cooling.
GO LOW. The lowest level in your house tends to be the coolest.
SLEEP. Not possible for many, but avoid doing much of anything during the main heat of the day. Though miserable, this is a good time to rest.
NAKED TIME. Look man, it’s hot. Get naked if you can. Pair with a cool towel if particularly bad.
SECTION 2: PREPPING FOR ADVENTURE
It's really important that you plan before going out into the heat. The more sensitive you are, the more this planning can keep you from having a medical episode.
THIRD SPACES. Depression from having to avoid being outside is a beast that plagues us, so plan well and look for cool indoor third spaces when you can! Thrift stores, libraries, cafes, crafting events, game shops are great places to start.
WATER & TREES. A godsend if you need to reconnect with the outdoors! Both lower the surrounding temperature and offer shade. The more trees the better. Avoid huge treeless lawns, they are the devil for many reasons. Might I suggest a lovely historical cemetery to stroll through? They are often quiet green spaces with lots of trees and interesting art. Avoid modern memorial garden cemeteries, they’re usually just massive lawns with few vegetation.
UNDERSTAND THE SIGNS.
Unfortunately, heat sensitivity often comes with having to be constantly aware of your body. Dizziness, confusion, blurred vision, and bone-deep tiredness are all clear signs that your body is bending to the heat. You may also have some early signs unique to you. Learn them. Do not ignore them. We’ll go into how to act in the next section.
GAUGE YOUR LIMITS. Before you make plans, record how you feel in a variety of temperature and humidity levels over time to see what your personal limit is. If you’re able bodied, this may not apply!
ACCEPT DISAPPOINTMENT. It is safer to not be in the heat for most of us with heat sensitivity. We simply can’t do everything we want to do without harming ourselves greatly. It sucks, but learn to know when to cut a trip short. Respect your body and what its trying to tell you. Those heat stress signs aren’t a show of weakness- its a sign of warning so your body can take care of you.
PLAN BREAKS. Make them frequent. Inside, in A/C ideally, and before your symptoms become particularly strong. Plan to rest for at least 30 minutes at a time to get your core temp down. Location, weather, and your own situation can affect this. As example, I personally can only last 1 hour max in humid but cloudy weather, and need a 1 hour rest in A/C per outside session.
EAT A MEAL. An empty stomach and heat is very dangerous. Tends to exasperate dizziness.
EXPECT TO LOSE A DAY. Another thing that can change depending on person and disability. The stress the heat puts on your body is often not fully felt until the next day. There have been times I’ve ignored my signals, pushed, and then lost almost an entire week to fatigue due to heat recovery.
RESPECT YOUR BODY'S SIGNS!
PACK A SNACK. I personally tend to have increased hunger in heat due to the stress its putting on my body. I recommend simple nutritions like proteins, some salt, and sometimes a small amount of sugar (think candy drops, not a full soda). Your personal health needs may require different nutrition.
APPLY SUNSCREEN. Yes, even if its cloudy out (look up “UV Index). Yes, even if you have dark skin. Yes, even if you’re wearing mesh or lace. Yes, it needs to go on your ears and hands too. If you can’t stand most sunscreens, I personally like Black Girl Sunscreen- it still has the smell, but feels much more like a standard lotion.
BRING A WATERBOTTLE. Even if you plan to be inside somewhere. A double walled/insulated one is best. This will keep you hydrated and give you just enough will to go on and make it in your limping-to-the-car-hell.
BRING A HAND FAN/SPRITZER. Well, if you’re in a dry climate. Sorry, fellow Southerners. Once the humid season comes, these are almost useless.
KEEP A MOBILITY AID. Don’t be ashamed to use a cane or similar mobility device! Even if you’re young. Even if you don’t “look” disabled. Even if you only need it for a few hours on a hot day! It is a TOOL to HELP YOU and using them helps normalize it. Canes are often a life saver in keeping you upright and preserving some energy when the heat overwhelming.
Most canes are fine, but avoid fashion canes that have the ball styled head- they don’t support weight well.
DRESS LIGHT & LOOSE. Avoid layering as much as you can, especially if it is humid. Dress in natural materials like cotton, linen, muslin as they breathe. Light colors help as they refract light, but… this is one rule I always break.
If I die I die I guess.
ACCESSORIZE. Sunglasses, parasols, hats, hair sticks. If your hair is long and thick like mine, an undercut did wonders in reducing insulation on my head & neck.
SECTION 3: OUT AND ABOUT
PARK IN SHADE. Won’t completely fix a hot car, but will be more bearable when you need to escape.
AVOID TARMAC. In many cases you will need to cross tarmac, even if only for a single minute. That’s still enough to cause lasting effects as its a great insulator of heat. Tarmac is my worst enemy, my god.
ASK FOR A DROP OFF/PICK UP.
If arriving as a passenger & especially in tarmac seas. It took me a long time to not feel guilty for this one, but this is a HUGE lifesaver if you have particularly bad heat sensitivity and mobility issues!
WATER, WATER, WATER. Avoid sodas and similar high in excess sugar and salt- better than not drinking anything at all, but I have found it can be a shock to the system and cause nausea after being in prolonged heat.
EAT WHEN YOU NEED TO. Frankly, I don’t care if a place says no food. Whip out that quick snack-this is a medical requirement so you don’t faint.
SINK BATH. Go to a public bathroom, wet a paper towel, and wipe down some of your skin. If you’re fat or have breasts, wipe down under fat folds & your crotch area to remove some of the excess bacteria to feel a little less gross. If the place you’re at has A/C, this can also help in evaporative cooling and be a huge refresher.
CHECK IN WITH YOUR BODY. You want to do this regularly. If you are with someone, be adamant about your needs.
FEELING FAINT? COMMUNICATE. Feeling woozy, dizzy, whatever you want to call it is a major red flag. Sit down, drink water, eat a food, and rest. If you are with someone, tell them you’re feeling faint. If you’re alone in public, ask a staff member of a nearby place for a little help until you can recover enough to leave.
Festivals often have medical tents to help keep an eye on you for a bit- ask someone to escort you.
OPEN YOUR CAR WINDOWS.
when you return to your car then blast your A/C for a minute or two. Sounds backwards, but what this does is force out the hot stagnant air inside, quickly replacing it with cooler air.
section 4: AFTER CARE
Mentioned previously, you don’t often feel the full effect of heat until the next day. Recuperation is needed.
EAT IF YOU NEED TO. Again, some basic nutrition like protein, a little salt, a little sugar, and this time LOTS OF GREENS! This will help get some water back in your body and nourish it so it can recover.
SHOWER. Start off lukewarm, then gradually lower the water temp to cold to avoid shocking your system. This will help lower your core temp quickly. Also helpful right before bed if you lack A/C.
REST & NAP. Other than water, this is
my biggest recovery tool.
ICE PACKS & WASHCLOTHS.
essentially the cold towel trick again. So lovely to lounge with them after a trip out. Focus on your torso, as well as under folds to cool quick
END.
I’m a disabled artist that draws lots of autistic lovesick fairies. If you appreciate that sort of thing or these tips, maybe give me a look and/or throw me a Kofi!