The 100 Years Club Installment #139: HOT STUFF #12 I’m On Fire!

When I open my phone, I see an “Extreme Heat Warning.”

Arizona broke records this week. It was a balmy 118 degrees on Thursday, and my car was 121 degrees when I got back in after parking it outside for 15 minutes.

At least saying, “It’s hot” is on brand. 

I had declared 2025 the hottest summer ever, referencing my podcast topics, my move, my new content, and plans for the fall. But I wasn’t necessarily referencing the scorching weather, having never spent an entire August here in the desert.

“How do you stand it?” my East Coast and California friends ask me. 

It’s actually pretty simple.

Just as I adjusted to the frigid temps of Minnesota (during my random and disastrous year living there) and the snowfalls and floods in New York, I simply crafted new routines and habits around the weather.

Here are my tips for getting and staying cool if you’re dealing with extreme heat:

1. Put hiking on hold. Every year, 200 people need to be rescued in Phoenix alone because they think they can handle the heat. Forget about yourself and your calorie burn and think about those firefighters and police who need to carry you off the mountain! That Instagram pic can wait until the temps drop. Join a gym and climb a wall instead. I’ve simply amped-up my Pilates practice.
2. Strip down. Not literally. Just dress for the weather. I’ve overhauled my wardrobe since moving west, spending most days in either athleisure or tank tops and business-appropriate pants. Having a “uniform” saves me lots of decision-making time in the mornings, saves money, and keeps me cool (literally and metaphorically).
3. Hydrate. That seems to be the answer for everything these days. But it’s science-based! In fact, one study revealed that “Middle-aged people who were not adequately hydrated were more likely to develop chronic diseases. The diseases included heart failure, diabetes, chronic lung disease, and dementia.” Yikes! Better refill that water bottle while I’m writing this.
4. Find fun and useful things to do indoors. Read, knit, make food that doesn’t involve during on the stove or oven, clean up your closets, binge-watch educational and inspirational content, learn some new AI skills, and catch-up with friends and colleagues. You can also volunteer during the hot summer months. Here are some options. This week, I visited two co-working spaces and a content studio and made some new business connections. It can be a great time to try restaurants and visit other venues in “off-season” mode. August is also a great time to plan your fall activities. You’ll be way ahead of the other folks who have unplugged for the entire month. If you can afford it, consider taking a staycation and escaping the heat for a couple of days. Or, find a friend with a pool and submerge yourself.
5. Stop talking about the heat. That won’t make it any cooler. But the weather is a “safe” topic. Here’s why people love to discuss it. When people ask me how I stand it, I basically summarize 1-4 and then change the topic. The only exception is, of course, if someone invites me to their beach house to cool down, in which case we can discuss that!

And, while dealing with the heat, think about how you can be cooler this fall and winter: 

	Here’s what the fashionistas think we’ll be wearing this season: Modern Academia: Scholarly-inspired, including corduroys, collared shirts, and blazers. Ski Core:  Yup…the looks of the slopes are taking to the streets. All Things Furry: I always wanted to look like a teddy bear!
	Hot weather date ideas
	Avoid these foods during a heat wave
	Here’s the fall weather forecast! Don’t invest in that furry jacket quite yet unless you’re in a “yellow state!”