I’m somewhat bemused at the moment by the constant media fuss over our heatwave weather.

I mean, it’s summer … what else do you expect?! Of course it’s going to be hot!

Life in the Middle Aged Mama household is never dull. Just as I was smugly gloating about how I love our air conditioning and how I can’t cope without it during Heatwave Weather and … yup, you guessed it. Not only has the split-system air conditioner which cools our family room, kitchen and dining areas packed it in – but also the air conditioning in my car!

So my next job is to sort out getting both air conditioners fixed. What fun (not!).

Fortunately I still have air con in the office and bedroom but surviving the Heatwave is a lot more challenging than usual.

10 Tips for Surviving the Heatwave

Here are a few of my tried and tested ideas to help you cope this summer …

1 – Wear your hair up – invest in some pretty combs or a large clip to pin it up and off your neck.

2 – Keep a spray bottle in the fridge filled with water. When you’re feeling the heat, a quick spritz on your face and body can do wonders!

3 – There is nothing worse than trying to go to sleep when you’re feeling hot and sticky. You have a cold shower before bed and by the time you’ve dried off, you’re hot and sticky again.

Instead, wet a sarong or sheet and wring it out until it’s just damp (or spritz it generously with your chilled water spray), and use that as a top sheet. Make sure you’ve got the fan on. Ah, bliss! (This tip is especially useful for those who like a sheet on even in the hottest Weather, to protect them from the monsters that are hiding under the bed .)

4 – Another trick is to pop your pillow in the freezer for half an hour before you go to bed so that it’s cool and refreshing. I’m told this tip will also kill dust mites!

5 –When hanging out at home, wear your swimmers in the shower or bath (or pool if you’re lucky enough to have one); then wear them around the house, perhaps with a sarong over the top so you don’t scare any unexpected visitors. Or just wear damp clothes! You’ll be amazed how much more comfortable it is in heatwave weather.

6 – Cooking heats up the whole house. Go for simple salads or fire up the barbie and keep the heat outside!

7 – At the risk of sounding like an old granny, keep a clean handkerchief in your pocket and handbag, to pat your face dry when you’re feeling sweaty and shiny.

8 – Ditch your cuppa. Instead of tea or coffee which will only bring you out in a sweat, sip iced tea or order a frappe or iced coffee.

9 – Seek out cool, air conditioned spaces. Head to the shops, the cinema, the library, a museum, restaurant or art gallery, or go ice skating – heck, even going to work can be a pleasure at this time of year if you have an air conditioned workplace!

10 – When relaxing in front of the TV, soak your feet in a bucket of cool water. If you’re feeling really energetic you can get stuck into them with a pumice stone, and kill two birds with the one stone!

Now it’s over to you – what are your favourite tricks for coping in this heatwave weather?

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