Ondata di Caldo
Fa caldo! Troppo caldo! Che caldo! Sono morto!
Ah, the phrases of summer in Tuscany. It’s known the world over that Tuscany is hot in the summer, but when you have an ‘ondata di caldo’ or heatwave, it’s miserable. Air Conditioning isn’t a thing here; although with the last few years of much hotter summers, Italians are finding it’s essential not just to provide relief for ‘their tourists’ but for themselves. It seems that the shutter method only goes so far in keeping a home cool.
We live in a centuries old two story apartment. While I curse it’s inability to stay warm in the winter, I am grateful for it’s 3 feet thick stones walls for keeping the heat at bay. During a heatwave, and during the most pressing part of the day, it’s our mini oasis staying at least 20 degrees cooler then the scorcher outside.
But…we can’t stay inside all day. There are tour clients to entertain, errands to run and a small white dog that needs to relieve himself often (although he’s been known to refuse going outside 38c or more). Thankfully there is pausa that calls us inside for a few hours each day without making us feel guilty.
I am very susceptible to the heat. I get nerve pain, fatigue and all around brain malfunction. Heat isn’t just ‘sucky’ it affects my health. So, while I gladly partake in pausa, I have to confront a heatwave like I’m going into battle.
Here are some of my personal ‘Heatwave Hacks’, proven to help keep you cool in any ‘ondata di caldo’ - in Tuscany, in California, anywhere the thermostat threatens life and livelihood. Hopefully you’ll find these helpful in waging your own battle to beat the heat. Do you have your own Heatwave Hacks to share? Comment and let me know!
Dueling Fans
We have a small army of standing fans. They stand at attention in opposite corners of our rooms and when turned on, especially at full speed, create a glorious cooling crosswind. One alone usually does the trick but when you place two, or more, it’s like you have your very own wind tunnel cooling you off instantly and continuously. We like to put one static blowing in our direction and another on oscillate.
PROTIP: Table fans with bowls or buckets of (ice) cold water further create an A/C like cooling effect. Standing fans, strap a frozen ice pack in front of the fan also works.
Peppermint Essential Oil
This tip is credited to our client who heeded my advice about bringing any ‘cool items for relief’ on her Summer trip. She brought us all roller ball vials of peppermint essential oil which, when rolled on the back of your neck, wrists and even ankles truly and magically keeps your skin minty cool. And ahhhh, smells so good! Fresco!
Scarves
My love and appreciation of scarves has only grown stronger living in Italy. In the winter, they superstitiously keep me healthy (avoiding the famous Italian colpo d’aria) as well as regulate heat to keep me warm. (I also joke that they hide my neck wrinkles, but let’s stay on topic). You would think they would be the last thing you’d want to wear in the summer, right? Well…
While there are lots of ‘cooling scarf’ options in the market that look, well, like cooling scarves, I have found a great hack. Linen scarves dunked in cold water, wrung out and draped around your neck is super fashionable alternative. Linen holds wetness but also dries nicely, making this a ideal solution that you can ‘re-wet’ during the day to keep cool.
I’ve also been known to take a small, soft icepack and wrap it in a thin scarf, positioned on the back of my neck. This is a great option if you are able to replace icepacks once they go warm (In my case, in my giant black hole bucket bag my husband hates with is entire being, I have a small cooler bag to keep my back up frozen packs).
Ice Cube Bun
I did the short hair thing a few summers ago and I am still suffering the effects of PTSD. I have lots and lots of hair. It makes me hot. I really hate having to wear my hear up in a ponytail or bun all the time, but it is necessary for survival. One day, as I was rubbing Elliot (my dog) down with an ice cube, I had an epiphany! Why not stick an ice cube in my hair! I gingerly tucked it into my ponytail under my bun (or whatever you call that ‘just get my hair off my neck style) and what do you know?!? Cooling genius! I may have looked like sweat dripping down by neck and back, but it was ice cold and glorious!
Another version of this is just to put an icepack on your head under a hat or baseball cap. You know, if ice cold sweat isn’t your jam.
Why not just sport wet hair? That’s cooling, right? Nope, can’t. Not ‘cool’, it’s brutta figura.
Moisturizer in the Frig
All that heat takes a toll on our skin (and for me, all the thousands of nerves under my skin). This is a favorite wake-up/before bed heatwave hack or anytime during the day when I need a quick reset. After a cool shower, or in lieu of, smoothing on refrigerator cold moisturizer is AH-MAZING. It’s a cool treat for your skin, and nose, if using a refreshing scent. It calms the nerves by sending cooling sensations to the brain. A great pick me up AND cool me down!
Compression Socks
Okay, hear me out. I realize compression socks carry an old lady connotation (unless you are a serious athlete or frequently flier), but once you experience the magic relief of compression socks, there’s no going back. In the summer, my feet swell up something fierce (yours too???). Not a good look paired with adorable sandals and beachy flip flops. Plus, it’s super uncomfortable (again, it’s a nerve thing).
I (truly and deeply) hate wearing socks. But, I have a pair or two of ankle compression socks that I keep in my nightstand to slip on after a long day of walking to restore my sore feet and ankles. The other night, with my nerves blazing hot in my ankles, I deployed my thematic hack. I grabbed my compression socks and soaked them in really cold water, wrung them out and yanked them (like pulling up a wet bathing suit) into position on my feet. YOU GUYS! I think my body temp when down 20 degrees in two seconds flat! Place a fan in the direction of your soaked, compression sock feet and shave off another 10 degrees! The compression keep the cold dampness pressing on my skin and they stayed cool most of the night. What followed was not only a great night sleep, but I awoke with puffy-free feet! Win. Win.
Water At Your Side
I don’t need to tell you that the number one way to combat the heat is to stay hydrated. Drinking copious amounts of water is essential. Staying hydrated is easy when your sitting at work, your kitchen table, or in your car. It can be bothersome when you’re out and about running errands or touring amazing sights. A client (the very same that enlightened me with the power of peppermint) came prepared with a water bottle sling. Lightweight and light fabric, it is designed to let you wear your water bottle cross body style. It even has pockets for your phone and lip protector (or peppermint oil roller!). Carried alone with just your essentials or in addition to your handbag, it’s a great way to ensure water is always by your side, er, attached to your hip. NO (clap). MORE (clap). EXCUSES (clap) to not drink enough water.
PROTIP: Add fruit and/or mineral salt solution (Polase in Italy) with potassium and magnesium to your water for extra hydration properties. Additional PROTIP: it’s unisex so dude can carry it (for you).
Secret Weapon
Ladies, as embarrassing as it may be, I’m about to share a hack just for you. What is THE WORST part about being hot??? Yep…Boob sweat. So annoying, so gross. If you’re like me and don’t have the luxury of wearing cute, dainty, braless dresses and tops, you know that wearing a bra just adds incrementally to body heat. Since you’ve read this far, you probably have an inkling of where I am going.
Completely frustrated one day, I ripped off my bra and lied down with an giant block ice pack under my chest. Lying there in my immediately cooled relief, I thought, “clearly there is a product that I can just WEAR in my bra”. Amazon to the rescue! Nursing ice packs…not just for breastfeeding moms, ya’ll!!! (caveat, I am not a mom and did not know of these magical products).
Small round icepacks fit perfectly in my bra and truly keep you cool. These genius little things are also the ones I mention above that I wrap into my scarf or place under a baseball cap. Get a pack or two today and I am certain you will find your own genius uses as heatwave hacks.
Gelato
Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Enough said.
