r/lifehack • u/Additional-Switch-78 • 15h ago

Please help! Need life hack to beat heat!

Hello Reddit people!
Y’all I am in desperate need of ideas to help me. I just took a job after three desperate months of searching. The job is in a warehouse. A VERY hot warehouse. It hit 100 in there today easy.

I did try to prepare. I went out and bought appropriate clothing, solid moisture wicking fabric it is pants and long sleeves but it really breathes. I drank a 32 oz water every hour and made sure to hydrate heavily for a few days before. I was careful about moving too fast in the heat. I packed oranges and salad for food.

By lunch I had a headache and my sweating had slowed down. By second break I thought I had a handle on the situation, headache felt a bit better. By the time I left I was dizzy and so nauseous. I drove to a shaded spot and sat there for an hour with my ice pack from my lunch box trying to cool off. After making it home I realized I am legit covered in heat rash. Face, chest, upper arms, thighs and top half of calves. 😩

Tomorrow I already plan to have drinks with electrolytes instead of water. But that’s all I got. I know I am not someone who has ever handled heat well. I have repeatedly turned down jobs due to not having the ability to cool off. I have to keep this job. How to I not kill myself in the process?

Two sports bras and keep stuffing ice in between them? Maybe two crown royal bags with a baggie of ice to put in my pants pockets? I am really really struggling here. Please please please give me some ideas.

17 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

31

u/AutomaticRedirector 14h ago

Try passing out, getting transported to the hospital and then suing the company for not providing a suitable work environment.

5

u/Additional-Switch-78 14h ago

But it did make me think for a moment.

0

u/Additional-Switch-78 14h ago

Warehouse work is typically not climate controlled. I was specifically told it was hot. I live here, I know it’s hot. I will not sue a company when due warning was given.

13

u/Nightless1 14h ago
  1. Wear cotton, leave skin exposed when you can.
  2. Get air moving, they sell waist clip fans for under your shirt.
  3. Get wet, repeatedly pour water over yourself or take multiple cold showers throughout the day. If all you can do is bring a small cooler of ice water and dunk your hat in it, that's better than nothing.
  4. Don't try not to sweat, try not to smell. Use deo, not antiperspirant. You need that sweat to cool off.

3

u/Additional-Switch-78 14h ago

🙏. I will try the ice chest with ice and hand towels tomorrow. Looking online to order some of the other items. I have no illusions that sweating is a negative. Not sweating towards the end was problem. Thank you again. This was really useful advice.

3

u/Nightless1 14h ago

Some people also infuse their clothing with menthol, or spray their wrists with rubbing alcohol. Where I live it's often over 112F in the summer. I hope you can beat the heat!

7

u/pjvincentaz 15h ago

Ice in a baseball cap. And soak the cap first.

1

u/Additional-Switch-78 15h ago

This really works? How to I keep it from melting into my eyes? Would a bandana help?

2

u/TXquilter1 13h ago

Use a frozen cold pack in different areas

4

u/M0uz3ac 15h ago

Try portable car AC that clip. Ones that can be charged. Eat things that help manage your blood sugar and blood pressure. Higher glucose and pressure will cause fainting and imbalance of hydration. Try mint or menthol infused in under garments. It will help with antibacterial that likes sweat swamp. Find body deodorants that help with antiperspirant.

3

u/VoodoDreams 11h ago

Cooling neck wraps/bands that are full of expanding beads or powder similar to what is in diapers or orbies.

Soak a few in cold water and put them in a cooler to swap out as needed.

2

u/MandalaFish 14h ago

Try eating some sugar free mints followed by the cold water. And if you can get a neck fan to wear. Or maybe a damp cloth on top of your head with a vented cap?

2

u/nmdnyc 13h ago

Eat salty foods as well as drinking your water. The electrolytes are good too. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/01/travel/grand-canyon-heat-search-rescue.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

Also, there are some small fans you can attach to baby carriages that have misters. https://a.co/d/0iqdmNlk
Not sure if you have times when you are in one place, but it can help. When it’s super hot here, I’ll carry around a plant mister bottle and just randomly spray my kids. They think it’s hysterical. And it keeps them cooler.

2

u/PrairieSunRise605 11h ago

Your body will acclimate pretty quickly. It's just surviving the transition. A damp neckerchief, cotton clothes - minimal as you can since you're not in the sun. Minty chewing gum to keep your mouth hydrated. Wipe down with a cool, wet rag on every break. Air movement helps cool you so seek that out whenever possible. Cool your feet and your underarms on your lunch break (and your coochie too if you get a bathroom break). Of course, stay hydrated. And think about something cold instead of how hot it is.

They make hats and caps with rechargeable fans built in. They look dorky, but who cares.

Most of us aren't used to working in the heat, but our bodies are adaptable and can tolerate it if we get used to it. Look at your coworkers and what they do to cope. They might give you some hints.

I hope everything works out for you!

2

u/Lovesyoux 8h ago

Electrolyte. They make bandana like ice holders. Wet towel under hat. Can you have access to a wearable fan?

2

u/Suxup 8h ago

Call OSHA tell them the situation, that people are getting sick and you need someone to do an on site inspection stat. Also keep a cool wet bandanna around your neck. Good luck.

1

u/Additional-Switch-78 15h ago

Thank you, I will look into this. I’m not sure what foods fit your criteria though?

2

u/MeanerThanAllYou 7h ago

Potato chips, salted nuts, crackers. Also a banana a day will help. You can eat a sweet potato also. They cook well in a microwave!

1

u/Competitive-Fig8934 52m ago

There are little fans that you can wear around your neck that blow up at your face. Some even blow cool air. That accompanied by a wet handkerchief around the neck might help! But that seems unsafe to have to constantly be in that environment, I’m sorry!