Friday, March 29, 2024

I’m Boiling All the Time, So I Set Out To Find Things to Cool Me Down

I never used to run hot, in fact I was always on the chilly side of the temperature scale for most of my life, until weirdly I had knee surgery. Since then, I’m boiling ALL THE TIME, God knows why, but January – March is always a long, sticky and rather uncomfortable slog.

So this summer I have made it my mission to find all the best stuff to try and keep my cool – physically and emotionally – and if you’re a hot gal like myself (athankyou) then please read on for my best discoveries.

Mattresses and pillows that keep you cool all night long

I know, you don’t really think of beds being technologically savvy, but trust me that this one – somehow – really makes a difference when it comes to muggy nights. Sleepyhead have come up with KulKote temperature regulating technology, which uses similar same know-how as what’s put in space suits.

When the sleep surface reaches 29 degrees, it kicks into gear and keeps it there. The University of Auckland did a study and found with KulKote, the mattress stayed at 29 degrees for 22 hours – while a normal mattress was a full six degrees hotter at 35 (I’ve also tried this out for myself and I can tell you it works although I still can’t quite get my head around the science! They also have a thing called FusionGel foam in their pillows with heat absorbing gel particles – fancy – if you’re like me and always have to rotate both head and pillow to find the ‘cool side’.

Cold coffee to pep you up and cool you down

I’m a three-cups-a-day kinda gal, but when you’re sweating in a muggy soup that is Auckland in February, sometimes my piping hot flat white just doesn’t cut it.

I gave Nespresso’s iced range a go – pro tip for anyone with the Areoccino frother, hold the go button down for two seconds and it’ll COLD FROTH your milk, you’re welcome – and they’re delicious. Although they are limited edition so stock up if you’re keen to pretend like you’re in a fancy cafe all year round.

A fancy fan that really works hard for your comfort

Damn Dyson for their wonder technology. I was never tempted before this summer to indulge in a fancy fan. I mean it’s spinning air, right? Surely the ones at the end of the supermarket aisles do the job just as well.

How wrong I was. I was used to having to sit directly in front of a fan to feel the benefits, but Dyson’s old faithful Pure Hot + Cool purifying fan heater actually makes the whole room colder which is wonderful when you’re getting up and moving around. Plus, it actually purifies the air rather than just moving it around, and there’s a whole lot of jazzy features like timers, oscillating modes, a remote and of course the whole ‘it’s also a heater thing’. Just take my money already, I’ll consider it an investment.

Spa treatments with cooling extras

I’m all for getting as much value out of an experience as possible – but I also love to indulge myself with massages and the like when I can because running a business and a life is stressful. If you’re in Auckland and you’re the same (and also a sweaty gal like moi) then kill a few birds with one stone and head on down to the Cordis.

Book yourself into Chuan Spa for a treatment, and then be free to experience all the extra stuff that’s available to you on the roof including full-sized swimming pool (and if you want to heat up to cool down, saunas and steam rooms).

Kmart’s Legendary Giant Ice Cube Trays

IYKYK, but these little silicone trays are the BEST THINGS you can put in your freezer. Because I’m apparently turning into a middle-aged woman, I like to chill my wine down with an ice cube in summer (wine buffs please don’t come at me) and these are perfect. They don’t melt as quick, meaning your drink doesn’t water down, but they’re also perfect for cocktails and other drinks.

I’ve also used them to freeze individual brownie batters, lemon juice and stock cubes. Better living, everybody.

Deodorant that lets your body do its thing

We all know sweating is annoying. But it’s also the best thing our body can do to help us regulate body temperature. Schmidt’s natural deodorants allow the body to actually keep regulating itself but also prevent you smelling like you’ve just played a game of netball.

Anti-chafe shorts because, thighs

Is there ANYTHING worse than thigh sweat and thigh chafe? No there isn’t, I’m telling you now. If you’re among the 99% of women whose thighs touch – Kia Ora – you’ll know the struggle. Prevent both unwelcome chafe and that all-encompassing heat with these Sara anti-chafing cotton shorts that are actually breathable. Praise the lord.

A drink bottle you actually take with you that stays cold

I’m getting better at remembering to take a drink bottle with me and I am reaping the rewards – turns out all the experts were right when they said hydration is key, kids. The best reusable one I’ve found so far is from Frank Green, which keeps things cold all day and I adore the ability to customise your colours and even personalise your bottle on their website.

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