Hot or what?

After a rather wet, cold start to our summer, we’re now in full on high heat with no time to adjust! It feels outrageous to complain but complaining is an embedded part of our culture!

There’s a very welcome breeze today but temperatures are still set to soar to 28c!

As with every other part of our life experience, we need to learn how to manage our response to that which we cannot control. In this instance, to manage the response of our systems; body and mind, to the heat of the weather.

Many of us struggle to sleep at the best of times especially when hormones are creating havoc, but the heat adds an additional challenge. And for me, a cumulative lack of sleep can result in headaches and grumpiness! Both of which make me want to join my ginger feline in lazing around for hours on end under the sun protecting powers of the parasol.

Yet, I know that while overdoing things in this heat is unhelpful for mind or body, so too is underdoing them! As with all else, listening to our body and recognising its needs is essential to maintaining a healthy balance.

So in my attempts to look after mind and body, I’m intentionally doing something active if not too rigorous, every day.

Mondays short walk rewarded me with all the beautiful sights and scenes of the surrounding green spaces; undoubtably good for mind and soul.

Yesterday, I cycled to the outdoor pool where the noise levels made my heart sink but the cool of the water revived me.

I’ve tried a different yoga class this week to mix things up and keep me on my toes/elbows/knees.

And today, I will cycle to a local café to meet a friend.

The heat can present a real challenge for us all. It can be become all too easy to succumb to slothfulness, but gentle movement can help us on all levels. And not just the endless trips to the loo to keep up with the endless intake of fluids!

Welcome to summer people!