Tara Povey shares her list of essential tips and tricks to keep you comfortable during even the most record-breaking Leaving Cert heatwave.
It's that time of year again when we see the sun for more than a handful of hours a day. We’re all looking forward to our summer holidays, it’s bright when we’re leaving work, and life just seems a bit more manageable.
Unfortunately, we’re not all built to survive the warm weather, and temperatures are only increasing (the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) confirmed that 2024 was the warmest year on record).
I learned from a young age that heat and humidity can make me incredibly uncomfortable and unpleasant. So, I’ve come up with a list of essential tips and tricks that will keep you comfortable during even the most record-breaking Leaving Cert heatwave.
Tips for staying cool and comfortable this summer
Facial mist. I’ve loved facial mist for years. My friends make fun of me for buying what they call "water in a can", but honestly, it works! Facial mists work through evaporative cooling; when the mist hits your skin and evaporates, it takes heat from your face, which cools you down. There are lots of brands on the market, but I love the award-winning, Irish-made Josie Botanicals Refreshing Skin Tonic because of its refreshing sweet orange aroma.
Hydration. I will scream this at every adult I meet until I lose my voice: drink more water! Adults should drink about two litres of water every day, and that increases to 2.5 litres during the warmer months when we lose more water due to sweating. Dehydration can be extremely dangerous and can lead to heat stroke. Bring a refillable water bottle wherever you go to keep cool and comfortable.
Cooling towels. These light, microfibre towels are beloved by people who work in warm environments. You simply wet the towel with clean water, wring it out, and it’s ready to cool you down on the go. Drape it around your neck or wrap it around your head for a quick cool down. You can store your cooling towel in a small waterproof pouch and take it on adventures with you, ready to be used when you start to feel the heat.
Whole body deodorant. When it’s warm out, we all get a bit sweatier than usual. There’s nothing wrong with that, however, the anxiety of whether or not we’ve become a bit pungent is what can make us uncomfortable. I’ve started using Sure Whole Body deodorant, which utilises body adapt technology (created by Irish scientist Barry Murphy) to neutralise odour-causing bacteria before it becomes an issue. It can be used on the entire body from pits to bits and smells incredible. Dove, First Aid Beauty and others offer similar products.
Fans. Portable fans are a great way to stay cool in the heat. There are so many varieties available, including hands-free fans that you wear around your neck, belt clip fans that shoot air under your shirt to cool you down and even USB-C fans that plug into your phone to cool you down as you scroll. Traditional handheld fans that require no batteries or power are also incredibly effective and handy for popping in your bag on the go.
Anti-chafing products. Nothing ruins a summer day more than having the skin torn off a thigh by its neighbour. Lanacane Gel, Megababe Anti-Friction Stick and Body Glide Balm are some of the most popular products on the market. However, I’ve always found that any solid deodorant applied to problem areas works wonders to prevent chafing and keep you comfortable.
Sun cream. When I was young, I got the worst sunburn of my life at a waterpark. I had huge blisters, and my skin was so sore that I struggled to put clothes on; it completely ruined my trip. Ever since then, I’ve been obsessed with using sun cream and keeping my skin safe.
It's important to remember that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Ireland, so wearing sun cream with a high SPF as well as UVA and UVB protection is essential. Make sure you reapply often, especially if you’re in the water, to avoid turning into a human lobster.
Personally, I’m a little monster when I get overheated, so I hope I can help even a few of you stay cool and comfortable on your adventures this summer.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ.
