Ever notice how when the temperature rises, your tempers flare too? Here are some ridiculous heat-induced annoyances that push couples over the edge — and how to chill out.
Meltdown 1: The Battle of the AC
It's too hot. It's too cold. Where the heck is just right? When it comes to running your air conditioner, the two of you can never agree on the perfect temperature. You like an ocean breeze while he prefers an arctic chill, or vice versa. The cranky conclusion: One person always winds up shivering and resentful, or the other turns into an overheated mess.
Chill out tactic: Meeting in the middle of your two desired temps is a no-brainer, but there's a little more to it. If you're always getting iced out by the AC, switch sides of the bed so you're farthest from the direct air. Also, keep your AC off when you're out of the house. It'll lower your energy bill and give your body time to adjust in the time it takes to cool the house down again.
Meltdown 2: Marathon Car Trip Trauma
You know those road trips that always start out so fun? You're stocked up on snacks and have the tunes blasting and the open road ahead of you. But factor in scorching seatbelts, stick-to-your-thighs seats, and hot sun baking you through the windshield like oven-roasted chicken and suddenly the highway becomes hell. It doesn't help that the two of you have already discussed your dream home, named your future children, and listened to that Black Eyed Peas CD three times—you've officially run out of things to say. The only conversation topic: whose fault it is that you're freakin' lost.
Chill out tactic: Build in stops every hour so you can clear your heads and cool off. When you hop back in the car, take turns driving (and navi-guessing) so neither of you can play the "we're lost, you idiot" blame game.
Meltdown 3: Who-Drank-the-Last-Water Fights
It's the middle of the night, in the middle of a heat wave. You stumble to the kitchen, parched, and open the fridge. You shake the carton of OJ. Silence. You hit the lever on your Brita filter—bone dry. So you reach for a soda — oh wait, there is no soda because your spouse guzzled it all at dinner. As you turn to the sink to fill up a lukewarm glass of water, you can't help but feel frustrated. Is it too much for your significant other to just throw out the dang OJ so it doesn't taunt you, or refill the water filter when they're done so you can have a frosty 2 a.m. glass?
Chill out tactic: You can play drink police, but c'mon, how long is that gonna last? Keep a pitcher of water filled with ice cubes on your nightstand. When you wake up in the middle of the night, you'll have something to instantly cool you down.
