The extremely hot weather we've been having can be difficult for anyone to cope with but can be particularly tough if you have a spinal cord injury.

We asked our Independent Living Advisors for their top tips for keeping cool in hot weather.  

Lindsay's top tips

Hot weather can be much harder to manage after a spinal cord injury, especially if your body struggles to regulate its temperature. Here are a few things that have really helped me:

💧 Fill a hot water bottle with ice-cold water. Place it on your lap, behind your back, or against your body for quick cooling.

🧊 Cooling neck towels are fantastic. You can buy them online quite cheaply. Simply soak them in cold water, wring them out, and wear them around your neck to help lower your body temperature.

🌬️ Neck fans are another great option. They’re lightweight, inexpensive, and can make a real difference when you’re out and about.

💦 Keep a cold water spray with you. A quick mist over your face, neck, arms or legs can be really refreshing and help you cool down.

🚰 Run your hands under cold water. Cooling your hands can help bring your overall body temperature down surprisingly quickly.

🧢 Wear a sun hat whenever you’re outside to help protect yourself from direct sunlight.

🚗 If you’re feeling too hot, go for a drive in an air-conditioned car if you can. Even a short drive can help bring your body temperature down and give you some relief from the heat.

💦 Stay well hydrated. Keeping your fluid intake up is especially important during hot weather. As well as helping your body regulate its temperature, staying hydrated can also have a positive effect on your bladder and bowel management, helping to reduce problems that can be made worse by dehydration. If appropriate for you and your medical condition, consider using electrolytes to help replace salts lost through sweating. If you have a condition such as kidney disease or you’ve been given specific medical advice about electrolytes, follow the guidance from your healthcare team.

🏠 If it’s within your budget, consider investing in an air conditioning unit with a heating function. This has been an absolute game changer for me. It keeps me cool during the summer when my body overheats and warms me up quickly during the winter when I struggle to stay warm. For me, it’s one of the best investments I’ve made for managing my temperature all year round.

Hot weather affects everyone differently after a spinal cord injury, so listen to your body, keep out of the hottest part of the day where possible, and don’t be afraid to slow down. Small changes can make a big difference to staying safe and comfortable.

Lowrie's top tips

• Microfibre towel. I always keep a microfiber towel with me as its super lightweight. Run it under very cold water & place it on your chest/around neck - it keeps you cool without dripping water down you.

• Peppermint foot spray is a great way of cooling down your feet - if your feet are cool then it automatically cools your body down.

• Opt for fresh smelling perfumes/aftershaves. Anything heavy makes you feel warmer. Fresh smells give you that 'fresh out of the shower' feeling and tricks your brain in to keeping itself cool.  This also works during winter - opting for spicy, warmer aromas helps trick your brain to keeping itself warm and cosy. I have tried it & it works for me.

• Mint shower gel. Original Source has one. It makes your skin tingle & gives that menthol feeling, though be careful when you're washing your delicate parts because it BURNS!

Do you have any other tips for keeping cool?  Let us know in the comments!

Living with Spinal Cord Injury

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