There’s already plenty of great general advice out there to help people stay cool in the heat. Headway Bristol is adding some top heatwave hacks that are especially relevant to brain-injury survivors, to help you keep your day on track.
This post is for informational purposes only, and it is not substitute for professional medical advice. For official UK health guidance on managing hot weather, please visit the NHS Heatwave Advice page. Always consult a healthcare provider if you or someone else feels unwell in the heat. Please read the full disclaimer at the bottom of the page.
Check your meds
First and foremost check your medications. Some antidepressants, antipsychotics and blood pressure pills can affect how the body sweats and handles heat. Store medication at the right temperature, and seek medical advice if you are experiencing heat intolerance.
Be kind to your mind
Extreme heat can temporarily worsen brain fog. If possible, push complex tasks like life admin or household budgeting to the cooler evening hours to protect your energy.
Going outside?
Bright sun can trigger light sensitivity (photophobia), migraines and neurological fatigue in brain injury. So don’t just dodge peak sunshine hours (between 11:00 and 15:00), wear a wide-brimmed hat and quality sunglasses.
Gently does it …
Diving from a baking street into air conditioning sounds like heaven, but a damaged brain thermostat can struggle to cope with rapid temperature swings. Make sure you take time to acclimatise, and avoid chopping and changing.
Sip sip hooray!
We all know we should sip fluids throughout the day (limiting alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks). But how to remember? Set regular phone reminders, or invest in a clear bottle with a measure on the side to keep track of what you’ve drunk.
Bored of water?
Look out for liquid-rich snacks, like cucumber, watermelon and jelly (yes, jelly!) to pair with a regular liquid intake.
How hot!?
There’s so much advice about opening and shutting windows at certain parts of the day, it’s easy to forget. It might be worth getting your hands on an easy-to-read thermometer, so you can see if the temperature in your room is going up. You can set a reminder on your phone too.
What’s cooking?
There are some appliances that can add to the heat. If you can, consider avoiding using the oven or tumble dryer to avoid additional heat.
Dress for success
Clothing impacts how your body regulates heat. When you open the wardrobe, look out for: loose-fitting, lightweight garments; light colours that reflect sunlight; and breathable, natural fabrics like cotton or linen. Moreover, if you find the heat can affect your coordination or finger control, pick out clothes with simple fastenings, like elastic or velcro.
Cooling off
Some of our service users have portable neck fans. These are great because you don’t need to hold them, and can’t put them down – much harder to lose!
Bristol cool spaces
Bristol Council has plenty of information online to help you stay cool. They provide a list of cool spaces as well as a live ‘Keep Bristol Cool’ map of where the heat will be worst that day.
Keep in touch
If you’re a service user here at Headway, remember, we’re here to support you. You can contact us if you need to. If there’s someone you worry about, check in with them if you can.
Other advice
For official UK health guidance on managing hot weather, please visit the NHS Heatwave Advice page. Other advice is available from the NHS and Headway UK.
Disclaimer: Informational Purposes Only
The information provided on this page is for general educational and lifestyle purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Brain injuries can significantly affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature, and heat sensitivity varies greatly from person to person. Always seek the advice of your GP, neurologist, or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or heat-related symptoms.
Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If you or someone you are caring for experiences signs of severe heat illness – such as confusion, dizziness, vomiting or a sudden lack of sweat – call emergency services immediately on 999 (or 111 for urgent advice in the UK).