6. Accessorize appropriately. Get your toes in tip top condition and swap shoes for sandals. A lovely floppy sun hat will protect your face from ultraviolet rays, and make sure you don’t get caught out without your sunglasses.
7. Create some shade. For those who suffer in the heat, take an umbrella with you to provide additional shade throughout the day – practical, and effortlessly chic.
8. Give your face a spritz. For an instant cooling spritz, invest in a face mist. Check the ingredients and avoid products with silicone and polymers, as these can dehydrate the skin. MV Organic Skincare offers one of our favourites in the Eco-Age office – a rose hydrating mist that’s perfect for the office or while travelling.
(*For a quick, alternative fix, spray or run cold water over your pulse points to help lower your body temperature.)
9. “Please carry a bottle of water with you at all times.” That TFL announcement might be getting a little old, but we are very much on board with the message – make sure you take your re-usable water bottle with you everywhere you go and keep it topped up with fresh cold water – particularly if you are travelling long distances on poorly-ventilated public transport (hello Central Line).
10. Keep hydrated. Avoid drinking too much alcohol and rehydrate regularly with a refreshing homemade pitcher or a delicious drink on the go – why not try Karma Cola
11. Stay cool at night. Getting a good night’s sleep during a heatwave can be difficult – opt for lightweight, organic cotton bed linen and pyjamas, and keep your bedroom as cool as possible by keeping windows open in the morning and evening.
Did you know that wool can keep you cool, even in the heat? Shleep’s bedding is made of merino wool – an active fibre that reacts to your body temperature – and acts like a personal air-conditioning unit, it will keep you cosy in winter and cool in the summer.
12. Take it easy. We don’t need telling twice to take things slow – and we advise you follow suit! Whether it’s your route to work or your weekly exercise regime, adjust your usual routines to accommodate the heat and take things easy.
Be especially careful between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest. Public transport can become almost unbearable, so leave extreme time to avoid rushing between connections.
13. Make friends with your freezer. Your freezer is quickly going to become your best friend. From iced coffees to frozen fruit, keep it stocked with delicious frozen treats. And don’t stop there; have you ever tried freezing a flannel – or even a shirt? Freezing your nightwear is a simple hack that’s tired and tested – thank us tomorrow morning…
14. Throw some shade. If you can, keep shades and curtains drawn in the day.
15. Keep the sheets cool. Spice up your bedtime routine by spritz your bed with ice cold water before you go to sleep.
16. Homemade air conditioning. Feel the freeze from your fan by putting a bowl of cold water filled with ice cubes in front of it.