Don’t Forget to Feel the Heat
You can probably avoid heat waves, but maybe you shouldn’t
As I write this, it’s 93 degrees outside with about 8000% humidity. My region is only a couple of days into a week-long heat wave, which is elevating temperatures for over 200 million Americans and generally making it feel like the dog days of August instead of the end of Spring. Maybe you’re caught in the same heat wave; if not, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll find yourself in one soon.
Like many of you reading this, my participation in this heat wave is mostly optional. I can determine the temperature of my home and my car down to the degree. Every store or office I go to is unpleasantly chilly because it’s constantly blasted with air conditioning. Sure, I might have to spend thirty seconds or so in a parking lot here or there, but I can generally ignore the record-setting heat outside by simply choosing not to go outdoors between the hours of 8 am and 8 pm.
But I’m trying to experience the heat at least a little bit, and I’d encourage you to do the same (making sure, of course, to stay hydrated and pay attention to signs of heat stress.
Why? Because you and I had a hand in creating this heat, so we might as well sweat a little bit.
