The Everyday Struggles of Raynaud’s during the Summer
While the warm summer weather is welcomed by those with Raynaud’s…
…there are some everyday struggles that others might take for granted or find surprising.
The Grocery Store
Not only is the air conditioning usually colder than you might have in your own home, there are plenty of sections and aisles that are particularly chilly and they really aren’t avoidable. Most of us need food items from refrigerated sections, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, butter. And often times we like to pick up some items from the freezer section too. Maybe some ice cream, or berries for smoothies, or some hamburger patties ready for a spontaneous summer barbecue. Even passing through the open-air refrigerated sections brings an extra chill in the aisle that can be enough to trigger Raynaud’s phenomenon. Most people don’t realize that Raynaud’s can be triggered by 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures! It’s understandable that our produce and groceries stay fresher and in better condition in a colder air-conditioned environment, but the struggle is real for those with Raynaud’s!
On a hot summer’s day, when shorts and t-shirts become a norm, it can make a lot of sense to keep an extra layer of clothing in the car just in case it is needed to throw on while in the store to help reduce the impact of the change in temperature for a Raynaud’s reaction.
Cold Beverages
We all want to enjoy refreshingly cold beverages when the weather is hot, don’t we? But when some people touch a cold glass, it can be a surprise to the fingers and trigger a response. One straightforward solution is to use a koozie with your glass or to use insulated cups/mugs.
Maybe koozies should be more popular! Why are they not more popular now? Fun fact, one of the first name ideas my husband had for the fingerless gloves I sell in my business was hand koozies! I like the idea a lot, but alas “Koozie” is trademarked. Feel free to call your own gloves hand koozies if you like! I ended up settling on a business name that was more in line with my overarching business philosophy, Refiber Designs, where I care about the materials, fabric and craft of the products I make.
The Office AC
While this may apply to air-conditioning in general, it’s such a common problem that the air-conditioning is too high in the office. It feels significant to bring up because often it isn’t something that can be changed in the office and it is a daily experience week after week. While this is the summer experience, on the other hand, I’ve also had my moments in a poorly insulated office during the wintertime which is also rough.
The nice thing about wearing well-fitted fingerless gloves while working at the office is that it makes a huge difference in hand comfort throughout the day. They are so comfortable that they are easy to forget they are even on and you can keep a pair at the ready in a desk drawer or tucked next to the computer.
Making these thoughtfully crafted gloves is the focus of my business Refiber Designs. These gloves also help create a physical barrier between your palm/wrist and the chill of the keyboard or laptop that you need to work on. We are also reviewed by the Raynaud’s Association.
For those interested in reading more, we also recommend this article from the Raynaud’s Association:
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