Hello fellow autists and other folk! I’m asking you to share your tips on how to deal with the summer, the Sun, the heat and light, bugs, all of this while trying to have good time? Or at least a decent time?
I happen to live above the polar circle so here the Sun doesn’t set at all for almost few months so yeah, there is plenty of light unless it rains or is cloudy - luckily that’s pretty often too. Anyways, what has helped me;
- finding good, non-stinky sunscreen (Änglamark SPF50) and finding odorless mosquito repellant (“Free”)
- I need glasses and I have very light sensitive eyes so prescription sunglasses are the only thing that make it possible for me to do any gardening or reading outdoors etc
- cool/cold showers (/or swimming) to wash off the SWEAT
- wearing loose, cotton clothing and wearing a cotton scarf to cover my head and hair, this might make me look like a grandma/child but at least I’m comfy!
- blackout curtains in bedroom to keep the light out, but also on other windows to keep the house cooler
- freezer stocked with popsicles and fridge with alcohol-free beer because my autistic fiancé will stop drinking water once it gets too hot… (JUST DRINK SOMETHING!)
Honestly, maybe I’m weird, but I love the sun and feeling a little hot. Could be because my body is otherwise usually very bad keeping warm.
I do hate most sun screen, but I can live with the stuff that doesn’t irritate my skin. Blackout curtains are always a necessity for me, but I do live in the city, so that’s not a major difference. I always dehydrate easily, regardless of temperature, so I always need extra salt and water, so not that different.
But as a bonus the air is more moist (especially without the heater) so my throat is more comfortable. And I prefer fresh air over recycled air, so it’s a bonus when I can open the windows.
The biggest bonus though is shorts, short sleeves, no socks, and open shoes, and I’m still warm enough. I dislike the feeling of most clothing, especially on my feet, but really I’d love to be naked all of the time if my body warmed itself properly.
Omg right? Summer means sandals and bare toes and that means summer is king. I walked around yesterday feeling sun on my skin and it felt like I was recharging spirit energy. And my regular walking sandals are so light now it’s like being barefoot. Ahh, heaven.
I agree, especially since in the winter here there is no Sun at all… So once it comes back, I can’t help but to let it warm me up! Enjoy while it lasts, while of course trying to keep my skin safe. I’m so glad I finally found a non-stinky sunscreen, of course it still leaves the sticky feeling I can handle it as long as it doesn’t smell like “sunscreen.”
Fresh air sure is better too! Would love to have all the windows open all the time! (Obviously smart only when it’s cooler outdoors than indoors…)