- ☀️ This Morning’s Sky in Urasoe, Okinawa, and the Seasonal Air
- 🏡 The Morning Breeze in the Minatogawa Foreigners’ Housing District and the Start of Housework
- 👵 A Morning of Caregiving That Begins with My Mother Saying, “It’s Too Hot to Sleep”
- 🌧️ Typhoons and Migraines — A Season of Sensitivity to Barometric Pressure
- 🌿 Seasonal Living Tips: Okinawa’s “Humidity Management”
- 🌈 Summary
☀️ This Morning’s Sky in Urasoe, Okinawa, and the Seasonal Air
This morning in Urasoe, Okinawa, the sky is slightly overcast, with a temperature of around 31°C and humidity at 76%, enveloping us in the muggy heat typical of midsummer. At this time of year in Okinawa, humidity is high, and even just after dawn, the heat index tends to rise sharply. Our daily rhythms are often influenced by the weather. Today, I’ll be documenting the morning scene in Minatogawa and my daily life as a caregiver.
🏡 The Morning Breeze in the Minatogawa Foreigners’ Housing District and the Start of Housework
At 6:00 a.m., despite a breeze blowing in from the east, I woke up to a warm, humid air. While running the washing machine, I checked my detergent supply, filled the kettle with hot water, and began preparing for the day. The Minatogawa Foreigners’ Housing District was still quiet; with the sun peeking faintly through the cloudy sky, it was a typical summer morning in Okinawa.
👵 A Morning of Caregiving That Begins with My Mother Saying, “It’s Too Hot to Sleep”
My mother woke up early this morning saying, “It’s too hot to sleep,” so I turned on the air conditioner so she could rest a little. However, by around 8:00 a.m., she had completely forgotten and asked, “Why did you turn on the air conditioner?” As she tried to go back to sleep, I told her, “You need to eat breakfast and take your medicine first,” and helped her sit down in a chair.
Perhaps because of the heat, her appetite has been waning, and the amount she can eat varies from day to day. Every day, I try to figure out what’s easy for her to eat and what she likes while preparing her meals. I feel that caregiving is truly a constant process of “adjusting to how she’s feeling that day.”
🌧️ Typhoons and Migraines — A Season of Sensitivity to Barometric Pressure
My mother has been suffering from migraines all week and wakes up multiple times during the night to use the bathroom. The bruises from her fall the other day don’t seem to be affecting her, but she appears to be sensitive to changes in barometric pressure.
After seeing the news that a typhoon had formed off the coast of the Philippines, my mother said, “My head hurts because of the typhoon.” Even from a distance, there are certainly people who can physically sense changes in atmospheric pressure. I looked up headache remedies, such as applying cold or heat, and since cooling doesn’t work for my mother, I plan to try warming the area around her neck next.
🌿 Seasonal Living Tips: Okinawa’s “Humidity Management”
In the height of summer in Okinawa, humidity tends to affect your health more than the temperature does. The following tips can be helpful for those providing care as well.
Keep early morning ventilation brief: On days with high humidity, letting in too much outside air can make the indoor air feel heavy.
Set the air conditioner to a low setting plus dehumidify mode: This lowers the humidity without overcooling the body.
Focus on room-temperature beverages: Cold drinks can put a strain on the stomach.
Warm compresses for the neck and shoulders: Many people find this effective for relieving migraines and fatigue
I hope this is helpful, even in a small way, to others providing care in the same area.
🌈 Summary
Here in Minatogawa, the weather and humidity in the morning greatly influence our daily rhythm. Every day, I navigate the changing seasons while staying attuned to my mother’s well-being. I hope today will be another day spent slowly and peacefully.
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