Today is truly the nail in the coffin. On what is stereotypically the first day back at work for a large part of the workforce, the mercury will soar past 40 degrees for the first time this summer.
Those of us ensconced in office buildings around the CBD will revel in the bliss of industrial air conditioning, while stay at home mums will battle to keep their school holiday bound kids cool and entertained. Shopping centres, movie theatres and public swimming pools will be high on priority lists today, a means to stay cool without breaking the bank on air conditioning at home.
I am one of the lucky ones, closed up in the office all day where it is a pleasant 24 degrees. A cartoon in yesterdays paper had me laughing though – while many succumb to the heat outside, many of the CBD office dwellers will have cardigans or wraps on sitting at their desks, shivering though the great freeze of the 40 plus degree days, when office managers get slightly excited and turn the temperature down past pleasant to bordering on acclimatising for the winter Olympics.
Importantly on days like this you should remember to keep up your fluids and avoid time in the sun while dressing comfortably. I love a good heel as much as the next Imelda but today is not the best for anything that is going to slow you down on the outside. Skin tight pencil skirts and silk tops are a no-no, there is nothing worse that visible sweat marks (or perhaps the dreaded VPL!).
Take some advice from our fashionable friends at Style Melbourne and maximise the maxi on these hot days. Or simply sit at home in your underwear with a movie set in Canada or Alaska (try The Family Stone for some snow, The Proposal for sunshine with an arctic twist or Cool Runnings in preparation for the winter Olympics!). Throw a wet towel in the freezer for a while, then hang it over your fan for a refreshing blast or pop your pillowcase in for 15 mins before bed for a bedtime treat.
Remember when you wake up tomorrow after an average nights sleep to put on a smile and go about your day – everyone slept badly so there is no point being grumpy. Switch your latte for the iced variety and be thankful that its at least 10 degrees cooler. Chances are there will be more hot days to come so we better start to get used to it. Just 4 more months til winter.
