When Heatwaves Hit: Here's What Takes Our Minds Off the Heat
When the heat becomes almost unbearable, it’s essential to have the right recipes, work setup, or distracting hobbies and routines to cool your mind, if not your body.
Let's not mince words: In many parts of the world, it’s hot outside. Not just hot, but heatwave hot, too hot, if you ask us. Global heatwaves — one hit Europe last week, another now blankets the U.S., and has placed some 120 million Americans (probably more) under an extreme heat warning — are the result of climate change — an issue which disproportionately affects women. And it’s only going to get worse.
That’s why we’ve asked our editors and contributors for their favorite creative ways to beat the heat, or, at least, to take their mind off the temperature. From Palm Springs to the Pacific Northwest to the U.K. to New York City, where it’s set to hit 101 degrees this weekend (around 38 Celsius), we’ve rounded up a slew of ways to stay cool. Or, at least, to stay hot and unbothered.
At my partner Denise's house in Palm Springs, California, 115-120 degrees Fahrenheit is normal for summer. To help me stay comfortable, Denise fixed me up with a floating office. I’m currently there writing my second piece for The Persistent, under the close supervision of Sage the dog.
— Meredith Maran, contributing writer
On the steamiest summer days, there’s no way I’m turning on a hot stove to cook. Instead, I head to the local food co-op for tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, a big juicy watermelon and salty feta cheese. Then I mix up batches of tomato and mozzarella salad with basil from the garden and watermelon and feta salad with fresh mint, both topped with sea salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and good olive oil. Then I enjoy them for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
— Paula Derrow, features editor
If you, like me, cope with things happening out in the world by staying inside and doomscrolling, I’d like to share an account that brings hopeful, thoughtful content to my timeline – and now, to yours. Selin Nurgün (@somaresiliency on Instagram) offers somatic coaching sessions that prevent burnout from an ecology-informed point of view. They also post about their experience writing on the intersection of climate, bodywork, and social change. When it feels as if worry about ever-rising temperatures is shutting you down, Selin’s page will be there to pick you up.
— Han Goldstein, social media editor
During a heatwave, you’ll find me eating watermelon and drinking iced tea, with breaks to water the garden in the late afternoon. Sometimes, I’ll head off to my (heavily air-conditioned) gym to workout. All as I simmer with rage for all the ways capitalism has landed us in such dire straights.
— Katherine Dykstra, contributing writer
When the temperature rises, I put my blinds down and turn up the fan in my studio to work with clay. My hands feel the soft, cold clay and I start shaping it into sunbathing and swimming ladies, dogs and cats. I find innocence and joy in the clay (which I document on Instagram)! I want to create things that make me happy and forget the planet's chaos for an hour or two.
— Hanna Melin, contributing illustrator
It's counterintuitive, but in hot weather — when eating and cooking might seem like the last thing you'd want to do — I'll force myself to make a big batch of soup with all the veggies, lots of garlic, some lentils or chicken for protein, and a generous shake of salt. I'm convinced that most of us are chronically dehydrated even when it's not 100 degrees outside, so it's a great way to keep your fluid intake up. A woman can't live off popsicles alone!
— Josie Cox, founding editor
Over to You.
What’s your hack to beat the heat? We want to hear about your favorite personal-sized fan, book on climate change, or hidden spot to take a dip. Send it our way at hello@thepersistent.com and we might include it in an Instagram post! We'll be back with more recommendations next Friday. ⛱️
