SUMMER FATIGUE

THE NEFF ZONE -- BY JIM NEFF

CADILLAC NEWS -- JULY 11, 2026

Has the summer heat made you feel like a slug? Does the lethargy go bone-deep? You are not alone. The term for this is natsubate, meaning summer exhaustion. 

 

The explanation is simple.“During a heatwave, your body has to work much harder to keep your core temperature in a safe range. That means diverting blood to the skin, increasing sweating and making your heart work a little harder. All of that uses energy, which can result in that tired, sluggish feeling. Even mild dehydration can leave you feeling foggy. “Add a few nights of poor sleep because it’s too hot, and it’s no surprise you’re running on empty.” (https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/summer-exhaustion-natsubate-tiredness_uk_6a463122e4b03060a84bcb1d) 

 

A way to combat this feeling is to make life easier. For example, start using “old people” habits. “Maturing is realizing the old person habits you used to judge are actually elite.” BuzzFeed has fifteen of these at: https://www.buzzfeed.com/jamieko/millennials-old-person-habits-used-to-mock. 

 

One of these falls into the “less is more” category – staying home on weekends. “I definitely owe an apology to all the grown people I used to judge for thinking that was boring. Younger me was ready to party, but now I love being home, and I understand."

 

While you are chilling at home, a nifty BuzzFeed quiz might be fun. If you grew up in the '60s, this quiz is packed with the pop culture that defined the decade. Boomers should breeze through the easy ones, but there are a few tougher questions that might stump other generations.” Twenty-five teasers about everything from music to politics at: https://www.buzzfeed.com/briangalindo/1960s-boomer-pop-culture-trivia-quiz-25-questions. 

 

You could also reach back into the 1950s for some terms that are no longer used. If your favorite movies, music, and cultural touchpoints are from the 1950s, you may have some Silent Generation slang in your speech. These are some words worth keeping in the 2020s.” Who knows, whippersnappers may want to resurrect some words: passion pit, ankle-biter, Daddy-o, and hip. (https://wordsmarts.com/silent-generation-slang/)

 

Lest you scoff at old terminology, WordSmarts.com suggests that you could be a less boring person if you would just stop using some mundane verbs: eat, walk, make, show and be. “The more those verbs show up in everyday speech, the more that our communication falls flat. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with those verbs, there are many, many interesting alternatives that can take your communication to the next level.” Why walk when you can saunter? More at: https://wordsmarts.com/alternative-verbs/?lctg=e29108be-97be-4c1e-8d17-b41e8e0800c0.

 

If staying home on a weekend involves a repair project, your burden will be lighter if you know the proper terminology. “You embark on a mundane home repair, only to realize that there is a broken thing in need of replacement. But, alas, you don’t know the name of said item. Spare yourself the embarrassment of having to show the hardware store clerk a clumsy smartphone picture of the wretched piece itself.” 

 

DictionaryScoop.com helps you know the difference between a toggle bolt, a carriage bolt, a molly bolt, and a draw bolt. See the hardware lexicon guide at: https://www.dictionaryscoop.com/article/How-old-were-you-when-you-learned-these-hardware-staples-names.

 

Of course, just as important as knowing what things are is knowing what things are not. This is particularly true with food items for your at-home larder. “Puppy chows are not dog snacks, duck sauce contains no duck whatsoever, and German Chocolate Cake is reportedly Texan. Let’s explore the stories behind unexpected food labels!” 

 

Warning! While most people know that English Muffins are not from England and French Toast is not from France, other items on the list could shock some palates. Enough said. See all eleven at: https://www.dictionaryscoop.com/article/Rocky-Mountain-oysters-arent-what-you-think-Strange-food-names. 

 

When it comes to food, though, there is some outstanding news for something almost every home has on hand. “Peanut butter is a beloved pantry staple. If you’re a PB-lover, you might be wondering how eating it regularly may impact your health. Read on to learn about the nutrients in peanut butter, how they impact your health and how to enjoy more of it. Grab your spoon and let’s dig in.” (https://www.eatingwell.com/is-peanut-butter-good-for-you-8638482)

 

An article in EatingWell.com documents the benefits of PB. “Peanut butter is a good source of plant-based protein and rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. It is also low in carbs, making it a great spread for those with diabetes. It's also rich in antioxidants. It may help you reach your weight-loss goals when eaten in moderation.” Be sure to check out all the recipes at the end of the article. 

 

Every home has a value. Just be happy you are not doing a home search in San Francisco where homes are being sold for six figures above the asking price. “A Compass analysis finds 144 homes in the city sold for at least $1 million over list price.  As if that's not wild enough, a home in the Cow Hollow neighborhood sold for $15 million; it had been listed for $7.95 million.” It might be fun to speculate how much your home would sell for in SF. (https://www.newser.com/story/392428/in-san-francisco-homes-are-selling-for-1m-over-asking.html)

 

Finally, do you know why scientists don't have doorbells in their houses? Because they want to win a no-bell prize. 

 

Jim Neff is a local columnist. Read Neff Zone columns online at CadillacNews.com and NeffZone.com/cadillacnews.