Is it getting hot out there or is it just us HSP women? People who are not highly sensitive don’t always understand! Honestly, I grew up in Puerto Rico, a tropical island. Why can’t I handle the hot, humid, sunny weather better? The summer may be winding down, but the heat is still cranking up! And for those of us who are highly sensitive persons (HSP), the heat can be unbearable at times. The bright sun is too much light. In fact, you may find yourself feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and irritable in the summer months. So, my dear, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself from the sun and stay cool during this time! In this blog post, we will discuss how to survive the sun and heat as an HSP woman. But, we will also cover tips on avoiding bugs and staying hydrated!
The Sun is No Joke
As HSP women, the sun is no joke! We are extremely sensitive to its rays and can get sunburned very easily. Which can make summer seem a little less…fun. Especially when you are constantly worrying about the sun’s rays. Plus, you know it’s hot out there. And as an HSP woman, the heat can be unbearable at times. You may find yourself feeling exhausted, drained, and irritable. Which you definitely don’t want to feel on your days off or on vacation. So, what can you do to survive the sun and heat as an HSP woman?
Wear Protective Clothing to Protect Your Highly Sensitive Skin
Wearing clothing that will keep your skin covered but also let your body breathe is key. You will want to find clothing that is loose and made of natural fibers that allow airflow, like cotton. However, if you can, find clothing that has a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor), that’s even better! This will help protect your skin from harmful rays and prevent you from getting sunburned. You can never go wrong with accessories like a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and even a scarf! These can help keep the sun off your face, eyes, and skin in places that it’s hard to cover up with clothing.
Meet Your New Best Friend, Sunscreen
This may be a no-brainer but sunscreen will be your best friend. It will protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays and prevent sunburn. Which no one wants when they are trying to relax. Can you imagine? Trying to relax on the beach and you have a raging sunburn! No, thank you! Even if you are wearing clothing with a UPF, you will still need to apply sunscreen to any exposed skin. And remember, the higher the SPF, the better!
Aloe Vera Gel is a Must
However, if a sunburn happens, aloe vera gel will be another one of your best friends! You can find aloe vera gel at most pharmacies. This gel will help to soothe your skin and provide relief from the pain of your sunburn. Remember, this can happen to anyone because the sun can sometimes get through our defenses. But, aloe vera gel is like a tall glass of water for your sunburn.
Say “Hello” to Hydration, my HSP Friend
I’m sure you’ve heard this a lot, but staying hydrated can be key to not getting overheated or even getting a headache. When you’re in the heat, your body is working overtime to keep you cool! So, replenishing the fluids that you are sweating out is a must. You will want to drink plenty of water and even sports drinks like Gatorade. These can help to replace the electrolytes that you are sweating out. If you’re going to be outside for an extended period of time, bring a cooler to keep your drinks cold!
More Water, Less Caffeine
This might make you a little sad, I know it made me sad, but cutting down on caffeine can help you to stay hydrated. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it will make you have to urinate more often. So, your coffee (even if it’s iced) or your soda really isn’t doing you any favors when you’re trying to stay hydrated in the heat! This doesn’t mean you can’t ultimately have them, but it’s a good idea to outweigh them with water. But, if you’re still feeling overheated, please take a break!
Take Breaks in the Shade or AC
Taking a break from the heat in the shade or the AC can be a safe haven for your HSP self. When you start to feel overheated or like you can’t take the heat anymore, please take a break! Even if it feels like you’re missing out, it’s better to be safe than sorry! Once you’re a little cooler, you can go back and enjoy the rest of your day or night! Just remember, as an HSP woman, you are more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. So, it’s important to take care of yourself!
Listen to Your Body
An important part of taking care of yourself is listening to your body. If your body is telling you it’s too hot, it’s time for a break! Don’t push yourself to the point of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. That’s not worth it! Or, if you’re outside when a headache starts coming on, that’s your body also telling you it needs some time out of the sun! So, please listen to what your body is telling you. Relaxing in the shade or the AC will give you some time to cool down but also to refresh from the overwhelming heat… And the bugs that come with it.
Bugs are No Friend of HSP Women
As promised, we are going to cover the topic of bugs! I know they are not fun and can put a damper on your day or night! They are pesky and can be annoying when they are biting you. Or, you might be overwhelmed by the sound of them constantly buzzing by. So, what can you do to avoid them or at least minimize the amount of them?
Wearing Light-Colored Clothing
Wearing light-colored clothing can help to keep the bugs away. They are attracted to darker colors. So, by wearing light colors, you might be able to avoid them altogether! Which can help ease your anxiety about them!
Avoid Sweet Smelling Perfumes or Lotions
As an HSP woman, you might not even wear any perfumes or lotions. But, if you do, try to avoid sweet-smelling ones. The sweet smell can attract bugs to you! So, it might be a good idea to avoid them or find ones that have a different scent.
Use Bug Repellent
I’m sure this may have been your first thought, but: wear bug repellent! Wearing bug repellent will help keep bugs away from you and prevent bug bigs! Looking at you mosquitoes.
But, what kind should you use?
DEET is a common ingredient in many bug repellents. It is really effective in repelling bugs and preventing bug bites! However, it can also be harmful to the environment and your skin. So, if you’re looking for a more natural option, you can try products with lemon eucalyptus oil or soybean oil.
Covering Up as Much Skin as Possible
They can’t bite what they can’t see! So, wearing clothing that covers up more skin can help reduce the number of bug bites you get. But, when you’re in the heat, that might not be the best option. So, finding ways to cover your skin while still being comfortable is key. For example, wearing a t-shirt and long pants, or a dress with a light jacket.
Do Not Scratch!
If everything fails, please do not scratch! Scratching can make bug bites worse and lead to infection. So, if you get a bug bite, try not to scratch it! As an HSP woman, you may feel an overwhelming urge to scratch because let’s be frank, bug bites can be really itchy and annoying! But, try your best to resist the urge! Sometimes, you can put a cold compress on it may help to ease the itchiness!
I hope this guide was helpful to you in this last part of the summer! HSP women, you’ve got this! We can survive the heat and the bugs! Just remember to take care of yourself, listen to your body, and use bug repellent!
CONSIDER COACHING FOR SENSITIVE INTROVERTED WOMEN WITH ENID DEJESUS
No matter how you engage in the heat and the sun, make sure you are being safe and taking care of yourself! Remember, as an HSP woman you are more susceptible to the heat! If you have any more tips or tricks for beating the heat, please share them in the comments, or reach out to talk with me more about this privately! As an HSP and introvert coach, I would love to help you figure out individualized strategies to more fully live life as a radical introvert. Let’s connect! I help women all over the world find peace and acceptance with their introverted nature. You can learn more about my radical introvert coaching program with this free, Radical Introvert Audio Training “How to Find Peace in This Fast-Paced World”. When you’re ready to take action, I make it simple to book a free, 30-minute consultation call with me. I can’t wait to hear from you!
About the Author
Enid DeJesus is an introvert and sensitive person coach for women located in Florida. As an introvert herself, Enid understands how hard it is to be a sensitive, introverted woman in this world. She knows what it’s like to feel lonely, exhausted, and overstimulated. Just like you. She created her coaching program to help liberate women from the pressure to be different but to help design a life that is meant for their sensitive, introverted nature.
If you’re interested to start the radical introvert coaching program, let’s talk!
