As we get older and with Britain experiencing more extreme weather events, it’s increasingly important to look after ourselves in all conditions. Be it a big freeze in winter or acute heat in summer. Heatwaves can be particularly challenging for retirees and older adults. They can expose dangerous health risks such as dehydration, heatstroke, and heat exhaustion, so it’s always best to take the initiative and plan for every eventuality. Here are some effective tips for staying cool and comfortable in your luxury retirement apartment. Read on for our five ways to keep cool in the summer.
GET CLEVER WITH WINDOWS
Allowing the sun to stream in through the windows of your retirement apartment may be a pleasing aesthetic and make you feel like you’re getting some extra vitamin D, but it’s the quickest way to warm your room up to unpleasant levels.
Once a space is hot, it’s more difficult to return it to a comfortable temperature. Keep curtains and blinds shut during the daytime. You may think that throwing open the windows or the doors onto the private balcony of your retirement apartment will help, but it’s actually counterintuitive. Keep them closed during the hottest parts of the day and open at cooler times, such as early morning, to allow the cool air to circulate. Plus, if you swap out your overhead light for one with a fan attached it will help to circulate that cooler morning air.
For an extra insulating layer, add temperature control window blinds to your windows, they have a honeycomb structure that traps a layer of air to keep rooms cool in the summer and warm in winter.
Tip: If you prefer to avoid the summer sun altogether, choose to buy an apartment on the north side of our luxury retirement developments as they tend to be cooler.
USE SMARTER BEDDING TO STAY COOL
Getting to sleep in the extreme heat can pose further challenges. If you scour the internet for five ways to keep cool in the summer, you’ll find suggestions that range from a bowl of ice placed strategically in front of a fan at the foot of the bed to freezing your bed sheets! But there is a more hi-tech solution. Did you know there is smart bedding that has temperature control technology within, designed to keep you cooler at nighttime? From pillows and mattresses that get cold to the touch, to duvets with fluffy cloudlike fillings that will never clump together, and breathable duvet covers that wick away moisture, modern technology has revolutionised what we sleep on, and under.
Try the Fine Bedding Company’s Smart Temperature Bedding with intelligent thermoregulation systems that respond to body heat, adapting to your temperature changes during the night: https://www.finebedding.co.uk/products/smart-temperature-duvet
CHANGE YOUR ROUTINE
If the weather becomes unbearable this summertime, then it may be necessary to alter your daily schedule to avoid when the sun is at its hottest.
Try to stay indoors when the sun is highest in the sky – this is usually between 12 – 2pm, but it can vary daily. Later in the evening or first thing in the morning are the best times for any physical activities, such as walking around the communal gardens or light exercise. If you do need to go outdoors, then be sure to wear a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.
If you like to drink tea or coffee, then now is the time to temper your cravings. Stick to cool drinks that will naturally lower your body temperature. You and your friends could perfect your recipes for non-alcoholic, fruity cocktails, or what better excuse to enjoy an ice lolly or ice cream in the afternoon?
Tip: It can be easy to feel isolated if you’re staying indoors but all of Burghley Retirement Living’s developments have communal lounges where you can meet with family, friends, and your neighbours without having to leave the building.
TAKE PRECAUTIONS WITH YOUR HEALTH
When it comes to something serious like heat exhaustion it pays to air on the side of caution. Learn the signs of heat-related illness; excessive sweating, dizziness, headache, rapid pulse, and nausea are all indicators that there could be something wrong. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek a cooler environment and contact a medical professional or your lodge manager immediately.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/
Medications can further affect your body’s ability to manage heat, so ask your doctor about how your prescriptions may need to differ in the hot weather.
Need regular check-ins? Any of our owners who are concerned about their health in the hot weather, can speak with their lodge manager and arrange for more regular check-ins for the duration of a hot spell of weather.
EAT AND DRINK COOL
Avoid stodgy, heavy meals in the heat which will raise your body temperature. Light, cold meals and smaller portions are the way forward. It’s common sense, but avoid alcohol which will dehydrate you, and be sure to drink plenty of water. You can freeze bottles of water that will double as a cooling ice pack that defrosts during the day to keep you refreshed.
Water-rich foods such as cucumbers, watermelon, oranges, and leafy greens will also keep you hydrated.
Remember, it’s important to listen to your body and take steps to protect yourself from the potentially harmful effects of extreme heat. By following these tips, you can stay cool, comfortable, and safe during summer heatwaves.
For more tips and advice on how to stay cool in the summer visit Age UK: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/mind-body/staying-cool-in-a-heatwave/
Why not contact Burghley Retirement Living to browse our range of luxury retirement apartments in Shipley, Derby, Thornton-Cleveleys, and Brighouse. Visit https://burghleyretirement.co.uk/locations/ to download a brochure or call 0800 999 1989 to arrange a personal tour.
