As of this writing (July 30, 2023) the Phoenix have recorded 31 consecutive days of 110^o F degrees or higher. The previous record was a measly 18-days in June 1974. Even long time Phoenix residents are complaining about the heat. Myself? I was ready for the safe word on the 4th of July weekend, which is something like Philadelphia cheesesteak, Congressman, mustard, sword.

Imagine the ability to live on the surface of the sun … that’s what it means by the Valley of the Sun. It’s loosely translated from Spanglish, I believe. Everything is hot to the touch, even tap water labeled “C” is actually caliente!

Yes, I knew before moving here that I would contend with the heat for my first summer, but this is record-smashing type of temperatures, and consecutive days for a heat wave.

The following is what I’m doing to beat the heat …

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A majority of this is intuitive but still must be said.

Air conditioning – the first and foremost method to beat the heat is air conditioning!

In 1931, H.H. Schultz and J.Q. Sherman developed what would become the most common type of individual room air conditioner: one designed to sit on a window ledge. The units went on sale in 1932 at US$10,000 to $50,000 (the equivalent of $200,000 to $1,100,000 in 2022.)^[17] A year later the first air conditioning systems for cars were offered for sale.^[30]Chrysler Motors introduced the first practical semi-portable air conditioning unit in 1935,^[31] and Packard became the first automobile manufacturer to offer an air conditioning unit in its cars in 1939.^[32]

– Wikipedia, 2023

I live in air-conditioning, then I walk over to my vehicle, which has air-conditioning. And lastly, I work 5 days out of 7 in an air-conditioned building during the hottest time of the day … 2pm to 1030pm.

Hydration Station – In Washington State, drinking 8 cups of water was impossible for me. In State 48, I can’t drink enough water! If I drink 8 cups of water, I still feel dehydrated. So I make sure I put a pinch of salt in my water to help with retention. I also drink a Costco buy Liquid IV.

Casual Clothing – Again, many of these behaviors are natural for residents. I observed that clothing choice generally centers on loose fitting to allow airflow. An unpopular opinion I have is “no hat”. I simply generate too much heat that is dissipated off my dome.

I would literally get heat stroke before I would get dehydrated from the sun beating down on my mop on my top. I said it, now fight me.

No Shades – Another unpopular opinion I hold is “no sunglasses”. For me, my pupils dilate so much that it’s difficult for my eyes to transition in and out of situations that it tricks my body into a sleepy state.

No Sunscreen – I usually minimize my use of sunscreen. I would rather my skin’s melatonin adjust properly to the new environment vs continuously use a chemical.

Cool Down Routine – Regardless of a work day or not, in order to cool off I splash around in my pool. I ensure I have 2 back up pools, too. I’ve discovered that if my body is too hot, while it might be signaling for food, it won’t consume it.

However, once cooled down, that voracious appetite is restored and will not cease until satiated.

Once dried off, and fed, I use ice packs to ice my lower half of my body (lower back, glutes, hip flexors, hamstrings, et al.)

So, Spaceship Earth … how do you beat the heat from where you are standing?

‘los; out