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Every summer I feel like I'm turning into a grilled cheese sandwich - burned to a crisp on the outside, melted gooey mass on the inside. I have done much complaining and not much else. Frankly, I am tired of this pattern. Over the past week I have invested some time into planning for the summer. Here are my thoughts:
Tucson averages eight weeks of 100+ temperatures, including ten or more days of severe heat, reaching well above 105 degrees Fahrenheit. In comparison, the average human body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit; with a fever of 105 degrees, a person would be considered deathly ill. Maintaining good health and a certain level of comfort in such extreme weather requires some forethought. I have researched and experimented with various ideas, designed to help me and my family through the Tucson-summer.
The first and most far-reaching step is to adjust my daily schedule. While my children are off school for their summer break I could sleep in every morning. Instead, I choose to rise with the sun and take advantage of the cool morning hours. This is a good time to exercise or to take care of laborious chores. Running errands or shopping for groceries is ideally done between eight and ten o’clock in the morning. The hours between ten and noon are suitable for light activity. The entire afternoon, on the other hand, is best devoted to relaxation indoors. (I like to include a nap to compensate for the early rise.) After sun-set we may well go outside to play and chat late into the night.
My next set of strategies pertains to the car. Under the Arizona sun, the inside temperature of a parked car can easily reach 175 degrees. To speed up the cooling process, I open all doors wide to allow the inside air to “cool” to the outside temperature. In the time it takes to open the doors, start the car (with the vent on low), and remove the windshield screen, the temperature has been equalized, and the car’s air-conditioner is ready to provide significant cooling. I make it a point to look for a parking space in the shade, and I leave the windows slightly opened. Whenever possible, I avoid driving in the afternoon, but when I do have to go out, I take an ice-pack along for the ride.
Finally, special care must be taken to counteract the harmful effects of heat and sunlight. To this end I keep plenty of cold water and sunscreen on hand. Oddly, the enjoyable morning hours pose a greater challenge than the intense heat of the afternoon. Because the cooler air is delightful, we don’t feel thirsty, even though our skin continually gives off moisture and salt. To help replenish these in a tasty way, I make watermelon and other seasonal fruits available, as well as frozen grapes, popsicles, and salty snacks, like pretzels and nuts. Another risk factor, besides dehydration, is skin cancer. This is why I insist that everyone in my family wear sun-block and a hat. My final trump to beat the heat is to don a wet hat, and perhaps even a wet cotton wrap.
Summer in Tucson can be hard on anyone. But I have found that a little precaution and a laid-back attitude go a long way. This year I am looking forward to have a nice break from the routine of the school year. It will be a time of catching up on books and movies and leisurely conversations with friends. |
