Wednesday Health & Wellness

When the Heat Isn’t Just Uncomfortable… It Can Be Dangerous

As I write this, Seattle is under a Heat Advisory with temperatures expected to reach the 90s.

Many people around the country may think, “That’s normal.”

But here in the Pacific Northwest, many homes—including mine—were never built with air conditioning. We simply didn’t need it very often.

Today, I found myself thinking about older adults.

Not everyone is healthy enough to simply “deal with the heat.”

What if you’re recovering from an illness?
What if you’re living with chronic pain?
What if you have mobility challenges?
What if you’re taking medications that make you more sensitive to heat?
What if walking downstairs to get something cold to drink is difficult?

Today I wasn’t feeling well. I dealt with diarrhea, nausea, and feeling generally unwell. It reminded me how quickly our bodies can become stressed when we’re already sick. Add extreme heat to the equation, and it becomes even more important to take care of ourselves.

Here are a few simple reminders that may help:

💧 Drink fluids before you feel thirsty.
Our sense of thirst often decreases as we age, so don’t wait until you’re dehydrated.

🏠 Keep your living space as cool as possible.
Close blinds during the hottest part of the day, use fans safely if you have them, and avoid using the oven if you can.

🍎 Eat light if you’re not feeling well.
Sometimes simple foods are easier for your body to tolerate than heavy meals.

👵 Check on someone you know.
A quick phone call or text to an older neighbor, friend, or family member could make a real difference.

❤️ Listen to your body.
If you begin feeling dizzy, confused, weak, develop severe nausea, or notice you’re not urinating much, don’t ignore those warning signs. Reach out to your healthcare provider or seek medical care if your symptoms are severe or worsening.

Growing older doesn’t mean we stop being independent.

It means we become wiser about recognizing when our bodies need extra care.

Today, if you’re in the path of this heat wave, I hope you’ll give yourself permission to slow down, stay hydrated, and take care of yourself.

Your health is always more important than checking one more thing off your to-do list.

Stay safe, stay cool, and be kind to yourself.

🌻 Lady Flava 🌻