Friday 11 June 2021

Autism and heat intolerance.

 Hey readers,

I hate the heat! I used to think that it was just what I didn't enjoy. But researching and reading more on other people's experience of how heat affects their autism. Like autism, it's always the two extremes whether it be tolerance or intolerance for something. The subject I want to talk about is heat and how that affects me. Let's start off with the major thing I like to say about heat is the fact I HATE IT.

Now don't get me wrong I like sunshine however I don't like humid and unbearable heat (into the late 20s and 30s degrees). It really impacts my mood and makes me really, really irritable. I literally can not think straight in such hot temperatures and anyone around me really irritates the crap out of me the moment they speak to me.

Autism and heat intolerance.

No control of the heat 

I don't like sweating, the feeling of it, and just makes me feel nauseous. I have to take a shower after every time I go out. Sometimes 3 or 4 showers in a day at home when it is in the 30s temperature as my flat is like a bloody greenhouse due to the fact where my corner of the tower block faces the sun, absolute joy I can tell you

I don't like having sweat constantly dripping when it is so hot, it feels like my skin feels really dirty. I hate the sensation and feel the need to frequently wash my hands, face, etc. It can take over my thoughts of having these horrible thoughts and again impacting my mood making me feel grumpy AF as within minutes of washing I can feel yuk again. 

I think the heat sucks all your energy out and you don't want to anything. This is even more prominent when you get little sleep due to the heat. Therefore impacting my mood and being less rational in my thinking. 

The sunshine so bright with the blue skies and no clouds about really affects me visually. It is not uncommon for me to have frequent headaches during the summer due to my sensitivity to sunlight and trying my best to say in the shade.

I am lucky I guess being in the Uk that we may have a few spells of a heatwave but during that time it is hell. I wish I could afford air con. However, until that day I try and make it through the day. 

I am thankful that I actually like the white noise of the fan and actually find it quite comforting. I tend to avoid going out because I just hate it and much prefer if I have to go out in the evening because just about bearable. 

Another couple of ways to help manage heatwave intolerance is to have black-out blinds to reduce the lighting coming through the room. Also, making sure having cotton clothing to keep cool has been a blessing. 

Keeping hydrated and eating cool food such as watermelon help keep me cool. I also like ice cubes which I normally hate in drinks. But during the heat, I can manage with them and they are a lifesaver to keep cool in hot conditions. 

Another tip is to put the pillowcase covers in the freezer and get them out at night, it is so soothing and helps keep you cool which in turn gives you a better night's sleep. 

Of course, I am always looking for tips from other people who have knowledge on autism and heat management, Thank goodness for the internet as it is really useful to read what helps other people like myself who struggle with the heat.

If you have any tips I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below.

Cheers for reading X


 

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12 comments:

  1. Coming to you from #PoCoLo.
    I am also not a huge fan of extreme weather - being in Maine (US) our mid winters are VERY cold, and our mid summer gets too hot for me. I don't like how it drains my energy. While I don't have autism, my middle child has a severe case of OCD and reading your feelings, I can sympathize because he really struggles to remain pleasant and rational when a trigger is making him feel uncomfortable in his skin. So, the description of your experience is something that resonated with me and I know similar things go on inside my boy and they're often beyond his control.

    I do have another hint for you and I hope it helps.
    When I was younger, I worked as a bus girl and dishwasher in my mother's tea shop. It got hot in the kitchen during the summer months. She would have me run the water until it was at it's coldest, then put my wrists under the stream, palms facing up. Your blood vessels are closer to that sensitive skin and it gives you a refreshing cool down. It doesn't last very long, but it may be a trick that can help you in moments when the internal struggle you face is intense and you need something to help bring you back from the edge.

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  2. I had NO idea!Thank you for these insights!

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  3. I love the sunshine but not when it gets too hot so I can sympathise with you here. Sleeping in a heatwave isn't much fun - I might have to try your tip to put the pillowcase covers in the freezer. #MischiefandMemories

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  4. I enjoy the sunshine but like you I have a strong aversion to the feeling of being sweaty. That's why I can't do cardio exercise, I find it intolerable to have sweat on my body. I like the weather to be sunny but cool enough for a cardigan not a coat.

    Katrina x
    #MischiefandMemories

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  5. These are great tips and I'll have to give the pillowcase in the freezer idea a go when the next heatwave comes along. I love the sunshine, but not the thick stuffy heat when it gets to 27/28 degrees. I have a little tip that might help. I have an eye pillow that can be heated or cooled in the freezer... it's lightly weighted a bit like a weighted blanket - but for your eyes. It's great for cooling your head down at bedtime and it's also comforting at the same time :-) Thank you for joining us for #mischiefandmemories

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  6. It's really interesting to read about your experience and top tips. I find that the weather goes from cold to hot very quickly and a 'just right' day is very rare! Thanks for linking up with #MischiefAndMemories

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  7. Sorry to hear that the heat makes you so uncomfortable. I am really interested to read that heat could be affecting your autism. My little girl may be autistic (no diagnosis yet and just at the beginning of the whole thing), but she has really struggled in the past week and has had a tricky week at school. I did say to the teachers it could be the heat and now I am thinking maybe I was right! #MischiefAndMemories

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  8. This is really interesting! My little girl finds the heat really hard to tolerate too and she is most likely autistic x #mischiefandmemories

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  9. Thank you for sharing this it is so interesting to help understand the intensity of sensory differences. Great tip on the pillow case. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time

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  10. My husband and son both struggle. Lots of water and opportunities for shade. We also try not to be out in oppressive weather unless we can be in water.

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  11. Thank you for sharing about this, I love the tip about putting a pillow case in the freezer, I need to try that. My son doesn't enjoy heat and actually all three of us (me, hubby & son) struggle when the temperatures get into the high 20s or hotter. My go-to trick for cooling myself down is putting my wrists under cold running water. Another thing I've been thinking of trying is one of those cooler mats for pets, which I've heard others say they put under their bedsheets x #KCACOLS

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