Heat intolerance is a common symptom of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), dysautonomia and other chronic illnesses, causing symptoms to worsen during the summer. Here are 10 tips that help me stay cool, ease my symptoms and survive the hot temperatures.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. Information in this post and blog is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice. I’m not a qualified practitioner and I’m not encouraging anyone else to implement the things detailed in this post. Please consult a qualified practitioner if you have any questions regarding medical problems and before making any changes to your current diet or treatment plan. This post contains affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you I will earn commission if you click on a link and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclaimer here. First published 18 June 2021. Last updated 8 July 2023.
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POTS and Heat Intolerance
Hot temperatures can be difficult for anyone. For those with POTS, dysautonomia, chronic fatigue, pain and other chronic illnesses, hot weather can be especially difficult as heat intolerance and an inability to regulate body temperature are common symptoms. Heat can increase inflammation, heighten pain and causes blood vessels to widen which reduces blood flow back to the heart and brain. This can increase heart rates and worsen symptoms like dizziness and increased fatigue.
10 Tips To Stay Cool & Ease Symptoms In The Summer
Below are 10 things that help me survive the summer heat, keep cool and minimise the increase in symptoms.
1). Stay Hydrated
During the summer we lose more fluids and electrolytes via sweating, so replenishing these fluids and electrolytes is essential. Keeping hydrated has the following benefits:-
- Reduces fatigue,
- Increases energy levels,
- Improves concentration, memory and alertness,
- Eases anxiety,
- Activates the parasympathetic nervous system, our rest and digest system, reducing heart rates.
- Increases blood volume and blood flow back to the heart and brain, easing symptoms for those with dysautonomia and POTS (1, 2).
Fluid Intake Recommendations
Typically, it’s recommended to drink 2-4 litres of water each day (1). Although there are numerous electrolyte tablets available that can be added to plain water to help the body retain these fluids, these can contain artificial additives, preservatives and sweeteners, which increase inflammation, are harmful to our health and can worsen symptoms.
Also, the type of salt added is important. Regular table salt is refined, meaning it is stripped of vital minerals and other important electrolytes like magnesium, potassium and calcium (3). Instead, it’s recommended to use:-
These are unrefined and contain not only sodium but all the other electrolytes to help keep you hydrated (3).
Related Post: POTS Hydration – 9 Tips To Stay Hydrated
How To Keep Hydrated
Therefore, I consume a green juice, like this Fennel Juice Recipe With Cucumber & Mint, first thing in the morning on an empty stomach as a part of my POTS Management Morning Routine, which is packed full of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes to help rehydrate me after not consuming any fluids overnight.
During the rest of the day, the Best Electrolyte Drink For POTS, that’s free from these inflammatory ingredients, can be made easily at home by adding to filtered water the following ingredients:-
- Coconut water (ensure it is 100% coconut water, with no added sugar, preservatives or additives like Tiana Fairtrade’s)
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Freshly squeezed lime juice
- Trace minerals concentrate drops which contains 72 essential ionic trace minerals to help us stay hydrated (UK Link/US Link).
To keep your water cool, store it in a stainless steel insulated water bottle (UK Link/US Link). Ensure it is made from stainless steel as plastic water bottles leach chemicals and toxins into the water, which is harmful to our health and can contribute to symptoms (9).
Other POTS Hydration Tips
For more tips to stay hydrated, my other blog post – POTS Hydration – 9 Tips To Stay Hydrated – may be helpful. It includes a full list of drinks I consume and avoid, the best times to consume fluids and the foods that help me stay hydrated.
2). Cold Exposure
Cold exposure helps lower our body temperature. It also activates the vagus nerve. Learning How To Activate Parasympathetic Nervous System with Vagus Nerve Exercises reduces heart rates, increases energy and reduces fatigue and pain (4). Cold exposure can be achieved in the following ways:-
- Cold showers.
- Drinking cold water.
- Suck on an ice cube.
- Eat ice lollies/popsicles, like these Healthy Tropical Popsicles.
- Place a cooling towel around your neck – many brands are made from polyester and nylon. SKL is my favourite brand (UK Link/US Link) as it is 80% bamboo, which is free from chemicals, more breathable and moisture wicking, helping to remove sweat from our bodies. This makes it more effective than other fabrics and materials to keep us cool.
- Koldtec Cold Therapy Headband. Not only does this help cool you, and can be worn to bed to aid sleep, but it’s especially beneficial for headache & migraine relief – the band applies cold to pain point zones where headaches are most common.
- Spray cold water on your face. Although there are cooling facial sprays you can buy, these contain chemicals which are absorbed into our body through the skin and are harmful to our health in the long term. Instead, I make my own by filling a glass spray bottle with filtered water. Use a glass bottle instead of plastic as glass doesn’t contain or leach any chemicals into the water and onto our skin (UK Link/US Link).
- Soak feet in a bowl filled with cold water.
- Cooling vest (UK Link/US Link). Simply soak in water, wring out and then wear to keep cool for hours.
- Apply ice packs (UK Link/US Link). The benefits of ice packs can be maximised by applying them to specific parts of the body:-
- Apply to pulse points on the body, where you can feel your heart beat as the blood vessels are close to the surface of the skin. Applying cold to these points lowers the temperature of the blood as it passes through, which helps cool the whole body as the blood circulates.
- Inside of wrists,
- Side of neck,
- Temples,
- Crooks of elbows,
- Back of knees,
- Top of feet.
- Apply to pulse points on the body, where you can feel your heart beat as the blood vessels are close to the surface of the skin. Applying cold to these points lowers the temperature of the blood as it passes through, which helps cool the whole body as the blood circulates.
- Back of neck – The brainstem, the part of the brain which senses and regulates body temperature, runs through this area. Applying cold here sends a signal to the whole body to cool down.
- Forehead, side of the neck or Vagus Nerve Acupressure Points to maximise the activation of the vagus nerve (5).
For 13 other ways to activate the vagus nerve and enhance these benefits, you may find my other post – How To Activate Parasympathetic Nervous System – helpful.
Related Post: 14 Ways To Activate The Parasympathetic Nervous System & Vagus Nerve
3). Eat Fresh Raw Foods
Cooked foods increase our body temperature and require the use of the oven, stove and other appliances, which generate heat, increasing the temperature of the kitchen and home. Instead, I consume:-
- Smoothies & smoothies bowls, like this Immune Boosting Chaga Mixed Berry Thick Smoothie Bowl,
- Salads, like this Sprouted Buckwheat Salad With Basil Pesto or Jackfruit Tuna Salad. You can top salads with fermented foods like this Fermented Red Cabbage Sauerkraut to help improve gut health.
- Ice lollies/popsicles, like these Healthy Tropical Popsicles,
- Cold soups.
- Dips, like this Sprouted Lemon Dill Hummus, served with veggie sticks.
Fresh raw foods, especially fruits and vegetables, are:-
- Light and refreshing,
- Help to cool the body,
- Have a high electrolyte and water content (75-95%) to help keep us hydrated (10),
- Don’t require the use of ovens, stoves or appliances, preventing the temperature in the kitchen and home increasing.
My other POTS Syndrome Diet post has an A to Z guide, with 26 dietary tips that help ease my symptoms and improve my health.
Related Post: POTS Syndrome Diet (A to Z Guide)
4). Stay In The Shade
The sunlight is most intense between 11am and 3pm, so avoid being out in the sun during this time, if possible. Regardless of the time, whenever out in the sun, protect yourself and stay in the shade as much as possible:-
- Use parasols/umbrellas,
- Wear sunglasses,
- Wear a wide brimmed sun hats like Furtalk’s, which provide UPF 50+ rated protection, blocking 97.5% of the sun’s UV rays (UK Link/US Link).
- Wear a neck fan (UK Link/US Link). A neck fan prevents you having to constantly hold a portable fan to keep cool.
Importance Of Natural Chemical Free Suncream
The chemicals in regular sunscreens used to block the sun’s UV rays are unstable when exposed to these rays and actually cause greater damage to the skin and other healthy tissue cells than when skin is exposed to sunlight without any protection (8)!
Regular sunscreens also contain chemicals and toxins, which are absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin. These are harmful to our health, such as disrupting hormones and causing developmental and reproductive problems, and can contribute to symptoms (5, 6, 7).
Instead, opt for a natural chemical free broad spectrum alternative, which contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, like Badger’s, to provide protection against both UVB and UVA rays. It is also unscented so great for those with sensitive skin (UK Link/US Link).
5). For Clothing & Bedding, Use Light, Loose Fitting Bamboo & Linen Materials
Benefit of Bamboo and Linen
Bamboo and linen are the best materials for clothing and bedding, rather than cotton, denim, nylon, silk, satin and polyester, as they:-
- Are the most breathable fabrics, allowing air to flow through the material to help keep you cool,
- Remove sweat from your skin by absorbing it, helping to keep you even cooler,
- Release the sweat and moisture quickly back into the air, rather than trapping it in the fabric like other materials, to help keep you dry as well as cool,
- Are hypoallergic, meaning they are less likely to cause an allergic reaction or skin irritation.
Benefit of Loose Fitting Clothing
Loose fitting clothing allows air to flow past the skin and more sweat to be evaporated, helping to keep us cool. In contrast, tight fitting clothing traps heat against the skin and prevents sweat being removed, which can increase body temperature.
Benefit of Light Coloured Clothing
Dark clothing retains heat, which can increase our body temperature. Therefore, wear light coloured clothing, and beige compression stockings (UK Link/US Link) if needed for dysautonomia and POTS, which reflects and dissipates heat, helping to keep us cooler.
6). Stay Downstairs
Hot airs rises, meaning the temperature upstairs is higher than downstairs. Therefore, where possible, try to stay downstairs or in the basement. This is especially important for sleeping, where hot temperatures can disrupt sleep. Either sleep downstairs, if possible, or if your bedroom is upstairs, move your mattress onto the floor, to reduce the temperature while you sleep.
7). Open Windows & Close Curtains & Blinds
Opening the windows allows fresh air from outside to circulate. Closing the curtains and blinds keeps sunlight out of the home, reducing the increase in temperature. To cool your home further, hang a wet sheet in front of the open window.
8). Limit Electrical Usage Where Possible
Electrics, such as lightbulbs, cooking appliances, laptops and televisions, all generate heat when switched on and being used, which increases the temperature in the home. Therefore, where possible, try to limit your use of these and ensure you turn them off when not in use.
9). Keep Your Bedroom Cool
Sleep is vital for health and to manage symptoms. However, quality sleep is more difficult in the heat as hot temperatures can disrupt sleep, preventing us from falling asleep and causing us to wake more times during the night. As well as using the tips above, these are some additional tips that help me keep cool and minimise my sleep disruption:-
- Tie your hair up (if applicable) – keeping it off your neck helps keep you cooler.
- Create a cold water bottle. Fill a hot water bottle with water and freeze it for an hour before going to bed. Remove and take it to bed with you.
- Remove duvets and blankets and sleep with just a sheet on top of you (or no sheet at all if preferred).
- Cool bed sheets. Put your bedsheets in a sealed air tight bag to prevent moisture getting on them and place them in the freezer for 30 minutes before going to bed. Remove them from the bag and transfer them back to your bed.
- Sleep downstairs, if possible, where temperatures are lower. Regardless, as hot air rises, move your mattress onto the floor – the lower you are the cooler you will be.
- Cool socks in the freezer and wear them to bed. This will help to cool your whole body.
- Use bamboo bedding (UK Link/US Link). Bamboo is:-
- 100% natural,
- Chemical free,
- Thermal regulating & moisture wicking, meaning it helps remove sweat and moisture from your body while you sleep, helping to keep you cool.
- Indoor plants. When temperatures rise, plants release excess water into the air from their leaves which not only cools them but also reduces the temperature of the room they’re in (6). The most commonly recommended ones are:-
Related Post: 5 Step Nighttime Routine To Sleep Better (That Doesn’t Cost Anything)
10). Keep Your Car Cool
Getting into your car during the summer heat can feel like stepping into a furnace! Here are some tips to help keep your car cool to minimise the hot temperature when first entering:-
- Park your car in a garage or in the shade, if possible.
- Use sun shades, like Kinder’s, which blocks over 99% of the suns’ rays to minimise the increase in temperature. This is especially useful when parking in the sun is unavoidable. You can get these shades specifically:-
- If you have leather seats, cover them with a towel and remove them before getting in. This keeps the leather cool and prevents your skin burning when you first sit on it.
- Turn on the air conditioning a few minutes before getting in your car and setting off to reduce the temperature.
- Car windows don’t block the suns’ UV rays, so wear natural sunscreen even when inside the car.
Although hot temperatures can be difficult, sunlight has also been shown to improve our health by increasing energy levels, improving sleep, easing anxiety and stress and boosting our immune system (7; 8). My other blog post has 5 Tips To Maximise The Health Benefits Of Sunlight.
Other Natural POTS Treatment Posts
Somatic Exercises & Nervous System Regulation:-
- 12 Vagus Nerve Exercises To Improve Physical & Mental Health
- Nervous System Reset (10 Easy Ways)
- Somatic Tracking (Exercise, Video & Benefits)
- Somatic Resourcing (5 Steps To Create Resources)
- Somatic Experiencing Pendulation and Titration
- 10 Healthy Habits To Improve Your Health For Free
Diet:-
- POTS Syndrome Diet (A to Z Guide)
- Elimination Diet Phase 1 To Identify Food Sensitivities
- How To Reintroduce Foods After Elimination Diet To Identify Food Sensitivities
- 10 Tips To Improve Digestion
- Best Electrolyte Drink For POTS
Drainage Pathways:-
- How To Open Drainage Pathways (& Why It’s Important For Health & Chronic Illness Management)
- Breath Retraining – 6 Tips & Exercises For Optimal Breathing
- 6 Free Ways To Start Non Toxic Living (& Why It’s Important To Ease Symptoms)
- 15 Easy Ways To Create A Chemical Free Home
- 10 Tips For A Non Toxic Kitchen
Sleep & Rest:-
- Rest Well – 7 Types Of Rest We Need
- 5 Step Nighttime Routine To Sleep Better (That Doesn’t Cost Anything!)
Flares:-
- 6 Things To Do In Bed To Manage & Recover From POTS Flares
- 15 Things To Do In Bed To Ease Anxiety & Stress
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I hope these tips are helpful. What helps you stay cool and ease symptoms in the summer heat? I’d love to know what helps you. Leave me a comment below or message me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Youtube.
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Great ideas! I definitely make sure to keep my house and car cool, and wear lighter coloured clothing too.
Thank you Claire, I hope they help!
Yesterday, I did a few of your suggestions! I’m so thankful that I had a cooling towel to hang around my neck. I was helping my sister and niece stain a big wooden fence all day. It was humid and HOT. I drank water (10 cups) and refreshed the water on my cooling towel often. It really helped. My sister, not as focused on taking care of herself as I am due to having Fibromyalgia, was really worn out and sweaty by the end of the day. Love your water recipe! I need to try it. I just had lemon in mine.
I’m so glad they were helpful Katie, thanks for letting me know! I don’t envy you doing that work in this hot weather but I hope you’re holding up ok today. Thanks for your comment 🙂
Terrific suggestions. This is a way of life in tropical Taiwan. The steamy jungle heat is brutal most of the year, so we use every trick in the book to stay cool. I’ve never heard of a cooling vest though. I had to look that up!
Thank you very much Carrie, I really appreciate it. I’m so sorry to hear that, hot temperatures for just a few months off the year is tough enough for me! I love cooling vests, anything to cool me down is a hit with me!
These are such good tips. Overheating is extremely uncomfortable. I’m sure most people experience problems sleeping during hot summer months. I had never thought about a cold water bottle. What a simple but clever idea.
Thank you very much Elizabeth, I really appreciate your comment. I’m so glad you found the tips beneficial, I hope the cold water bottle helps you. Sleep has the biggest impact on how I feel each day yet it’s definitely something I really struggle with during the summer in hot temperatures.