Beat the Heat!

I apologize that I haven’t been blogging frequently. Ironically, as soon as I started this blog, I lost my job (my position was eliminated as part of a restructure), so for now, I have a reprieve from the daily commute! But my heart is with those who struggle on – especially in this unbearable weather!! 🥵

Although trains, busses and stations are air conditioned, the cooling is often not adequate when you’re in a crowd of people, and commuters’ metabolic rates increase when walking to and from the station, increasing their body temperature. That’s not to mention the sweltering heat that radiates from the outside of train cars, or the city in general! (Don’t even get me started on the heat island effect and how much I hate asphalt!).

I’m actually headed into the city right now (running late of course, thanks to NJT) and wanted to share some methods I’ve adopted to keep cool while traveling via public transit in the summer.

1) Ice Packs: Whether you pack your lunch or not, it really helps to carry ice packs in your bag. On a sweltering day, it’s worth the extra luggage! I’m currently headed into the city with a bag of 4 ice packs in my lap, and it really helps! I can hold them if I’m too hot, put my wrist on the ice pack, or put the ice pack on my neck.

2) Frozen Water Bottles: If you don’t have ice packs, or don’t want to have to carry them home, use frozen water bottles instead! Don’t freeze a whole, unopened water bottle, as water expands when it freezes and the bottle could burst. Only fill the bottle halfway. Freeze them overnight and in the morning, fill them the rest of the way with water.

3) Smoothies & other Frozen Treats: Pick up a smoothie, ice cream, or other frozen treat to have on your way. It will cool you down as you go!

4) Dress in Light Colors: Obviously, you will be much cooler in a white shirt and khaki pants than you would be wearing all black.

5) Sleeveless if Possible: Wear a sleeveless blouse or short sleeved dress shirt, depending on your gender and clothing preferences, unless it’s explicitly stated as against your company policy. Even if you don’t make a habit of it, wearing sleeveless or short sleeved shirts on super hot days may be something your company would understand and allow. If you are a slender person, take a jacket or sweater in case people crank the AC in your office!

1) Towels: Pack a hand towel, bandana or some paper towels and blot yourself as needed!

2) Makeup: Keep a spare makeup bag with you for touch-ups.

3) Hair Dryer: If you arrive sweaty at the office and need to dry off, try using a hair dryer on the cool air setting. If your office allows you to store personal items in the restroom, Mother’s room or wellness room, keep a small hair dryer there so you don’t have to take it with you from your desk each time.