Temperatures are expected to go above 25C on Sunday and stay high for the rest of August. So how can you stay cool when the weather outside is hot?
With most British homes being designed to keep heat in, summers in the UK can feel more challenging than in countries where air conditioning is the norm. So La-Z-Boy UK has put together some tips to help you stay chilled instead of feeling hot and bothered.
Put your feet in cold water
One effective way to bring down your core body temperature to help you feel more comfortable is to put your feet into cool water. This can help prevent your feet and ankles swelling and you can even do it while you watching the TV.
If you’re really struggling, take a lukewarm bath or shower. But make sure the water is tepid rather than cold to avoid sending your body into shock.
Cooling your feet down can also make it easier to sleep in the heat – pop a pair of socks in the freezer for a few hours and put them on at bedtime.
Stay hydrated
Making sure you drink plenty of water may sound obvious but research suggests most of us don’t get close to the recommended amount. A 2019 survey by Britvic found 62% of Brits didn’t drink enough water with 20% admitting they hadn’t touched a glass of water for more than a week.
When it’s hot, your body sweats more so it is important to make sure you replace the lost fluid. Keeping drinks cool can be a challenge – luckily some of our La-Z-Boy collections include cooling cup holders which will keep your beverage chilled while you relax. This feature is available in a number of our ranges, including Williams, Dixie and Toledo.
Keep the air moving
Having a fan to move the air around the room can help you feel cooler and make the heat indoors less oppressive. Fans work by moving hotter air away from your skin and replacing it with slightly cooler air. Putting a bowl of ice in front of a fan will chill the air it is blowing around and can work like a DIY air conditioning system.
There are also lots of small portable fans available on the market which can focus on keeping you cool rather than the entire room. As well as battery-operated and handheld fans, you might want to consider one you can plug into a USB port. These can be used with your computer and even with your La-Z-Boy power recliner if it comes with a USB port.
Add some greenery
Increasing the number of houseplants in your home can help cool it down and add a splash of colour and character too. Plants act as a natural air conditioner, taking heat out of the air around them and releasing water. Good houseplants to go for include the rubber plant (ficus elastica), weeping fig (ficus benjamina), aglaonema and snake plant (sanseveira). Palms are also a great option as they are extremely effective at replacing carbon dioxide with oxygen and if you mist their leaves with water once a week, they will be even better at helping keep your home cool.
Take time to enjoy a lazy moment
La-Z-Boy UK’s Long Live the Lazy campaign is all about encouraging you to take time out from your busy life and recharge your internal battery. Getting plenty of rest is always important but it is even more crucial when the weather is hot. High temperatures can make you feel very lethargic as your body is busy trying to keep you cool. Doing too much can make you feel worse so make sure you take time to put your feet up and relax before you get too hot and bothered.
Designed and Manufactured in Britain
The Made in Britain campaign is a movement designed to bring together the manufacturing community in the UK, awarding companies who manufacture their products in Britain a collective mark we can use on our products and communications.
The mark proudly demonstrates La-Z-Boy’s commitment to supporting the local economy and community.
You can identify our UK manufactured products by the Made in Britain flag on the product’s photos.
We launch new ranges throughout the year, so be sure to follow us on social media and check back to keep up-to-date with our new products.