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DO NOT ditch the fan: a Spaniard’s advice on how to REALLY stay cool when working from home in a heatwave. (A response thread to this @guardian article:) https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/jun/24/ditch-the-fan-how-to-stay-cool-when-home-working-in-a-heatwave?CMP=share_btn_tw
Although I’m impressed by @stuheritage credentials to write this article (I’ve also worked in a garden office before), I bring with me years of summers that start in March and many exams done at an average of 40-45º Celsius. So here we go, listen up:
(Disclaimer: I won’t follow the order of the article because if you really want to be cool on a 30ºC (ah, little pandawans...) day you need to start in the morning).
Water is key, and not just for drinking. When you wake up, take a bottle of cold water and pour it outside your windows on your windowsill. If you live on a ground flat or (are lucky enough to) have a garden, water the garden or the pavement outside your house.
Water is your friend. As it evaporates, it will absorb the heat outside and freshen the breeze coming in your house. Repeat this whenever the area you wetted dries up. If you have a garden-hose, use it!
2. Open the windows BUT: A big but. Open all then windows when it’s still under 25ºC in the morning and let the breeze in. The moment it gets hotter (and specially if your flat is south-facing), CLOSE ALL WINDOWS and SHUT YOUR CURTAINS (and shutters if you have them).
Why on Earth, you ask? This will help you maintain a lower temperature inside than outside. The heat is a hoard of zombies. Don’t let them in.
3. THE FAN: DO NOT DITCH IT. I REPEAT, DO NOT DITCH THE FAN. Use it in the morning to get that cool breeze around the house. Once you’ve closed windows and curtains and its cooler in the inside than outside, KEEP USING IT!
To be fair, the ice bowl in front of it it’s not a bad idea at all, I’ll give you that @stuheritage. You know what is also not a bad idea? Buy a lovely hand-fan (made in Spain, obvs). And yes, POW, JUST LIKE THAT!
4. Two words WHITE COTTON: I mean, I don’t think you need to completely undress. We are talking ONLY 30ºC, lovely padawans. Surely you own a cotton t-shirt? Cotton is the best kind of airy clothing. If the t-shirt is white, WIN WIN.
5. Hydrate: I always feel you Britons only get reminded to hydrate in the summer, but you should be drinking water throughout the year, you know?
Also, caffeine might dehydrate you, but a hot drink will also help you to cool down, so I wouldn’t say no to a camomile, peppermint or jasmine tea. You can have these in their cool versions by putting ice cubes on them (no, do not buy those overpriced cool infusions).
6. GAZPACHO: Learn this word ([garth-pah-cher]) and this recipe and don’t be put off by it being described as a cool soup. It’s not. It’s a fucking HEALTHY smoothy. I’ve put time writing my recipe for you. Here you go. Add some ice when you drink it. YOU ARE WELCOME.
![6. GAZPACHO: Learn this word ([garth-pah-cher]) and this recipe and don’t be put off by it being described as a cool soup. It’s not. It’s a fucking HEALTHY smoothy. I’ve put time writing my recipe for you. Here you go. Add some ice when you drink it. YOU ARE WELCOME.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EbRpMjGX0AI1PtJ.jpg "6. GAZPACHO: Learn this word ([garth-pah-cher]) and this recipe and don’t be put off by it being described as a cool soup. It’s not. It’s a fucking HEALTHY smoothy. I’ve put time writing my recipe for you. Here you go. Add some ice when you drink it. YOU ARE WELCOME.")
6bis: Watermelon and melon are also QUEENS. They both have shit tons of water in them. Plus, they are delicious.
7. Working outside is totally up to you. If you have a garden with shade, go for it. In terms of parks, remember we are still in a pandemic (regardless what @BorisJohnson says).
But if you do go out, regarding the sun: 1. WEAR SUNSCREEN and re-apply often. 2. If glare is an issue, set your screen on max brightness and use the following GENIUS method (thanks, @jesshuntrods ):
8. Spray your face with cool water. Honestly, you don’t know what you are missing. You can also use commercial sprays, but AVOID anything with alcohol. Oat water sprays are a really good option. Careful with: laptops, phones, tablets, spectacles.
9. We are in a pandemic but there is also a planetary emergency (read this @nhm_london article). If you follow my adivce, you won’t have to get in your car (that is if you even own one) to freshen up with its air conditioning AND DESTROY THE PLANET. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2020/january/we-are-declaring-a-planetary-emergency.html
10. The moment temperatures go down a bit (8ish pm?), open windows again, water windowsills, keep fans going.
11. Working hours: Remember, mornings are sweet. Evenings are sweet too. Middays are hell. But I’m aware not everyone can change their working hours!
12. ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* Siestas *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ can help during peak heat hours in your dark cool house, but I’d recommend not taking a nap longer than 30 minutes.
13. And overall, don’t travel to Spain. They reached 45ºC in May. You’ll die. Also, the pandemic.
Disclaimer: This have been thoroughly fact-checked by experts (aka, my friends who still leave and work in Spain).
Disclaimer 2: @stuheritage article is actually good and helpful. But I'm sure he's never said "Oh, it's only 30°C...".
Disclaimer 2: @stuheritage article is actually good and helpful. But I'm sure he's never said "Oh, it's only 30°C...".
Ah, forgot to talk about TEH NIGHT:
- AVOID turning on many or bright lights. Keep it down. Windows open + heat + light = MOSQUITOES!
- Quick shower before bed is GOOD.
- Can you have the fan on overnight? Yes.
- Can you have the air-con on overnight (if you have one)? Well
- AVOID turning on many or bright lights. Keep it down. Windows open + heat + light = MOSQUITOES!
- Quick shower before bed is GOOD.
- Can you have the fan on overnight? Yes.
- Can you have the air-con on overnight (if you have one)? Well
