06.22.2009 9:55 am
No surprise that it’s hot, but still…
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
One way to beat the heat
Summer got its steamy start yesterday and the forecast for the whole week is calling for high humidity and high temperatures in the 90s.
And let’s put this out front: We KNOW this isn’t a big shocking investigative news story, so if you want to blast us for writing about the heat, don’t bother. Because even if it’s not unrest in Iran or economic woes, it’s what plenty of people are talking about. Remember, this is a blog called Talk of the day. And it’s hot. It’s going to stay hot, and it’s early in the season.
Some people are doing things differently because of the heat. A colleague here watered his concrete before the cats went out. Runners who might hit the streets at lunchtime or after work may be moving to early morning or late evening exercise. Is the early blast of heat leading you to adjust your schedule, or your kids? And what about your thermostat — have you reprogrammed your comfort zone?
And, is it just me, or do a lot of malls and stores overcompensate for the heat? When I head into a big box or grocery in shorts and a T-shirt, I feel like I need to grab a jacket. At my local Shop ‘n Save, I shiver through all the aisles, not just the frozen foods. Same thing for the mall and the movie theater lobby. Has anyone else noticed this?
Nope, I haven’t noticed that. It must be you.
Slugger says this heat is the fault of George W Bush and his economic policies…
(Sigh) Just when you thought it was safe to blog again, a Bushbot shows up posting their neocon rantings.
It is the same temperature in my house that it was a month ago. I have geo thermal unitrs that keeps my house at the same temperatuure the year arond. That is FREE,once it is installed.
Keep your cool.
I’ve always tolerated the cold better than the heat, so this kind of weather is extra hard on me.
It was so hot yesterday, I think I heard a faint wail from my cactus, and I’m pretty sure I saw a bird burst into flame when it landed on a metal roof.
As for beating the heat, my main strategy is to stay indoors – air conditioning is a blessing. If I have to be outside, it’s going to be a trip to the pool or setting up the sprinkler for the kids. Personally, I hope this is one of only a handful of hot spells this summer. I really don’t want to think that the whole summer is going to be like this.
Give me heat over cold any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Seems I can never put enough layers on to stay warm. With regard to this weekend, Saturday I mowed the grass and when to the zoo. Yesterday I scraped my porch and then knocked out 14 miles on the mountain bike. Heat is not a problem as long as you stay hydrated.
I find most places I go into are WAY too cold and almost uncomfortable. I have a theory, and it upsets most when I say it, but, I think the reason these places are so cold is because the fat people complain they are too hot. Come on people. Lose some weight and you’ll reduce the surface area that needs to be cooled. Think of the energy being used just to make fat people comfortable.
The body can build up a tolerance to heat just like anything else. I still go out and run 5 miles in the heat, I don’t care what time it is. If people were more active this wouldn’t be such a bid deal. I understand for elderly people my perspective is not reasonable, nor would it be wise with young children. But, for the rest of you very capable but just lazy people, quit yer whining, get out, and build up some tolerance to the weather…it’s not going to change so you might as well adjust.
AJ,
The old surface area to volume ratio? Clearly that has some effect on a person’s temperature tolerance. However, I’ve also noticed a pretty good difference in people’s tolerance based on their ancestry.
My ancestors are from far northern Europe, and I love the cold. It doesn’t hardly bother me, and for the record, my BMI is below 25 – well in the normal range.
It’s my opinion that kids these days will not be able to tolerate the heat like those of earlier generations. They’ve probably known air conditioning their entire life. We didn’t get AC on the farm till I was well out of high school (late 80’s). Our attic fan was all we had. The temperature gets a 1/2 degree above 75 and my stepson is complaining it’s too hot. Ryan is correct, you can build up a tolerance to heat just like anything else.
I’ll agree w/ you on the ancestry point. Also, upbringing has something to do w/ it. See my previous post about life on the farm. BTW, my BMI is 24.
Here’s my take on why people can’t take the heat anymore.
Growing up before the mid 80’s most people did not have air conditioning in their homes, cars or even work. The only places that were air conditioned were the supermarkets and dept. stores. Thus, unless you went to those places you lived with the heat and never really felt that bothered by it as you and your body were used to it. Now a days most people drive air conditioned cars work in air conditioned offices and have central air at home. Thus, when we do go out into the heat we can’t adapt to it.
Just my thoughts.
Rich