It’s hot again.
I think it’s the third heatwave of the year now. Currently, it’s mid-30s in the south. Amber alerts. I’m sure you’ve felt it?
And here’s the thing. Heat like this doesn’t just wear your body down. It wears your head down too. Tempers are shorter. You’re struggling to sleep. That flat, foggy feeling by mid-afternoon.
Nature can still help though. Just differently than usual.
Here’s how to get the reset without ‘cooking’ yourself in the process.
So, What are the best ways to stay cool outside, during a heatwave?
1. Walk in Nature Early or Late to Avoid the Heat
Skip the midday walk. The UV is high right now and the Sun’s particularly brutal between 11am and 4pm.
If you can, try to get out earlier in the morning. Before 8am if you can manage it. The air’s cooler, and the light’s soft. And, the birds are loud :-).
There’s something about a warm day that hasn’t heated up yet. The sense of calm before the crowds and the heat both arrive.
The evening works too. After 6pm, once the sun’s dropped a bit.
2. Seek Out Tree Canopy and Ancient Woodland for Natural Cooling
Woodland does something really clever in the heat of the summer. Tree cover can drop the temperature several degrees compared to open ground.
Of course there’s the shade. But also the trees themselves are releasing moisture into the air, using something called ‘transpiration‘. A kind of natural air con.
So if you’re picking a spot to sit and breathe, pick the trees. Not the open field. Not the beach at 2pm.
Ancient woodland is best for this. Thick canopy. Cooler air pooling underneath. Ten minutes under it and your shoulders drop a notch.
3. Stay Safe Around Water: Cold Water Shock Risks
Rivers and the sea look tempting right now. I get it.
But sea and river temperatures are still low enough to cause cold water shock, even in this heat. That gasp reflex. That sudden loss of control. It catches people out every single year, and this week’s no different.
So enjoy water without jumping in it. Sit near a stream, or find a spot by a lake, under the cover of a tree.
The sound of moving water does something to your nervous system almost instantly, it slows your breathing down without you even trying. You don’t need to actually be in the water for that.
If you do want to swim though, check the temperature first. Go somewhere with lifeguards. Ease in slowly. And never go alone.
4. Try Micro-Mindfulness in the Shade
This is where the fifteen minute garden idea comes back round.
Same principle, just timed differently right now.
In the early-ish morning, before the heat builds, go and watch what’s moving in the shade. Bees still working the borders. Butterflies catching the first sun on the edge of a leaf.
Bring a coffee. Sit quietly and watch one small patch of garden, or hedge for ten minutes. Obviously, no phone ;-).
This kind of narrow, quiet attention is one of the fastest ways to pull your mind out of whatever loop it’s stuck in.
Spending time in nature doesn’t need heat, or cold. It works the same in any weather. Right now it just needs an earlier alarm.
5. Remember Heatwave Safety for Vulnerable Neighbours
One more thing, and this matters. Heat like this can be genuinely dangerous for some people. Older neighbours. Babies. Anyone who struggles to get around.
A quick knock on a neighbour’s door, can do more good than any wellness habit. Bring them water. Ask if their fan’s working. Small things that can make a big difference.
Quick Summary: How to Reset in Nature During a Heatwave
- Time it right: Walk early in the morning (before 8 AM) or late in the evening (after 6 PM).
- Find deep shade: Sit under a thick tree canopy, which acts as natural air conditioning.
- Respect the water: Enjoy rivers and lakes from the bank to avoid cold water shock.
- Practice micro-mindfulness: Spend 10 phone-free minutes watching nature move in your garden.
- Check on others: Ensure elderly neighbours, babies, and vulnerable people are coping with the heat.
Nature hasn’t gone anywhere this week. It’s just asking you to meet it a little differently while the heat holds on.
What do you plan to do, to help you reset during this spell of warm weather? Let me know 🙂
So, enjoy the warm weather, but remember to always stay safe.
