Uncoventional Heatwave Advice

How can we endure a heatwave with grace, without spending a fortune? How can we find hope and composure in our daily rituals—without calling an air-conditioning company only to be told there is a waiting list of several weeks?

These are the kinds of conversations Marga and I have been having, and we would like to share some of our gentle suggestions with you. We are determined to remain positive, even though we find these periods particularly challenging. 

Throughout this article, you will also find reviews of novels that the Dutch website 'Book Reviews' recommends. Each one complements the theme of this feature. 

Our Advice

At Handmade Luxury Home, our world revolves around handmade textile textiles, so naturally that is where we begin.

Replace heavy duvets and cushions with lighter fabrics such as linen, cotton, or bamboo. These natural materials breathe better and feel noticeably cooler against the skin.

As enthusiasts of Feng Shui, we also appreciate the psychology of colour. Choose shades of blue, soft green, or crisp white—colours that evoke freshness, tranquillity, and calm.

For ourselves—and for our beloved pets—we lightly dampen a thin cotton throw or towel and drape it over a chair, sofa, or dog bed. As the moisture evaporates, it creates a subtle cooling effect while lending the room a fresh, relaxed atmosphere. One could use our circular Tenugui towels for this. 

Colour & Fragrance

Fragrance matters too.

If you own an aroma diffuser—preferably an electric one that produces no heat—consider using essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, or citrus. Their invigorating scents can create a psychological impression of coolness.

If you happen to have vodka in the house (we do not), you can make your own linen spray by combining water, a small splash of vodka as a natural preservative, and a few drops of lavender or bergamot essential oil in a spray bottle. Lightly mist curtains or bed linen to create a refreshing, cooling sensation. I spray the curtains near open windows with citronella to avoid mosquitoes trying to enter the sleeping room.

Inner Calm

Keeping your mind cool is every bit as important as keeping your surroundings comfortable.

Create small, calming rituals. One of our favourites is a regular iced herbal tea moment. Brew hibiscus, peppermint, or chamomile tea, chill it well, and serve it in beautiful glass pitchers or vintage tumblers. Drinking something cold that is also visually pleasing becomes a small daily luxury. Even the cool glass in your hands offers quiet relief.

Another lovely idea is to fill a glass bowl with frozen grapes, berries, or citrus wedges. Place it on your coffee table or kitchen counter. It serves equally well as an elegant centre piece and a refreshing snack.

Curtains

Ordinarily, we favour simplicity over layers of curtains. During a heatwave, however, exceptions are allowed.

Those old, light-coloured lace curtains suddenly become invaluable. They soften the fierce sunlight while still allowing a gentle breeze to pass through. Their delicate movement creates an atmosphere that feels almost poetic, bringing softness to even the hottest afternoon.

Now for the Really Subtle Suggestions

To reduce the mental strain of extreme heat, surround yourself with calming sounds.

Play recordings of gentle rain, rolling ocean waves, or a softly flowing stream. The sound of water can psychologically lessen the sensation of heat.

Wind chimes offer another quiet pleasure. Hung near an open window, their random, delicate tones can have an almost meditative quality, gently reminding you of a breeze—even on perfectly still days.

Unusual Heatwave Ritual

For deeper stress relief, keep a heatwave journal.

Not a dystopian diary filled only with complaints—although there is certainly room to acknowledge how limiting prolonged heat can be. Alongside those thoughts, record observations: the changing quality of light, the sounds drifting through the day, or perhaps small sketches of the shadows in your garden or home.

By directing your attention towards beauty and detail, the experience becomes more mindful and less overwhelming.

Then comes the great relief of sunset.

The worst of the day's heat is almost behind you—though not entirely. It still takes days for the nights to cool, for the house to release its warmth, and for your own body to recover.

"After a heatwave, I need three weeks before the heat finally leaves my body."

Sleeping Well Again

How do you return to restorative sleep without relying on sleeping aids?

Try a cooling bedtime ritual. Place your pillowcase or a lightweight cotton sheet in the refrigerator—or in a naturally cool cellar—for ten to fifteen minutes before bedtime. That initial coolness can make falling asleep noticeably easier.

Keep a cooling mist beside your bed as well (perhaps next to the mosquito repellent). Simply fill a spray bottle with fresh water and a small amount of baby oil. Store it in the refrigerator and lightly mist your face, neck, or bedding before going to sleep.

A Gentle Perspective

Let us be clear: none of these small, intentional rituals will significantly lower the temperature of your home—or your body. For that, larger investments such as shutters, exterior shading, or powerful ventilation are needed.

What these ideas can do is gently shift your mindset. By observing rather than resisting every moment of discomfort, you become slightly less consumed by the heat and a little more of a quiet observer. Sometimes that subtle change is enough to carry you through another difficult day with greater ease.

Climate Change: A Reality We Cannot Ignore

Needless to say, we are deeply concerned about global warming. We do not deny the clear connection between increasingly severe heatwaves and climate change.

Earth's climate has always evolved throughout history. What we are witnessing today, however, is human-driven warming on an unprecedented scale.

Do what you can to help protect our planet. Choose the train instead of the plane whenever possible. Make sustainable choices.

Yet when we find ourselves beneath an immovable heat dome, already exhausted by the weather, adding anger to our suffering rarely lightens the burden.

Today, we simply hope these elegant little rituals may help you navigate the heat with a little more grace.

P.S. Please take extra care of older people, those who are ill, young children, and our animal companions. They are especially vulnerable during periods of extreme heat.

Paula is the owner and artist at www.paulakuitenbrouwer.com