The Impact Of Extreme Heat and Tips To Protect Your Mental Health
A reoccurring vacation theme with our son when he was younger was always, “Can we move here?” I’m sure you will agree vacations are fun! One year, however, we were visiting the DC exhibits, outdoors in the summer heat. We had our backpack with water and sunscreen, ready for the warm weather, or so I thought. My son kept asking if we could go into the stores. I didn’t think much of it on his first request, but quickly caught on that the heat was getting to him. He was not a happy camper and finally protested his misery and asked rhetorically, “Why would anybody want to live here?” I could feel his anguish on a rather blazing hot summer day.
Extreme heat can put our physical and mental health at risk. Extreme heat can also alter our behavior. Dr. Jesse Bracamonte at the Mayo Clinic says, “The heat can affect people's bodies by increasing the core body temperature and ability to sweat, and cause dehydration that can cause further medical problems and ensuing issues, and eventually can lead to heat exhaustion, in some cases, severe heat illness, known as heatstroke."
Extreme heat upsets our mental health, including our mood, and increases the risk for anxiety and depression. Heat can also cause incredible irritability and put people at a greater risk for PTSD and suicide. In addition, warm weather disrupts our sleep, making it hard to fall asleep and leaving us unable to get the proper rest our bodies need. We wake up feeling fatigued and not at our best to tackle the days responsibilities. Individuals need to be proactive in order to safeguard their overall health.
Several research studies have shown high correlations between extreme heat and our mental health. One article by JAMA Psychiatry published in 2022 on heat and mental health visits to the Emergency Department found that “ER visits for mental health conditions rise during extremely hot days.”
Studies also indicate the feeling of “brain-fog” one experiences due to extreme heat affecting our cognitive functioning. These research studies show how rising temperatures reduce our ability to combat stress and lower our academic and work performance. A further consequence of extreme heat is not only morbidity, but the rise in mortality, as evident by a 2023 report: “A record-breaking 569 deaths have been confirmed as heat-associated.”
Sadly, along with the ramifications of heat altering our mood, behavior, and our cognition, dangerous heat levels can bring about psychotic episodes making people taking specific psychiatric medications more sensitive to heat. The most urgent threat to our physical health is loss of water, which leads to heat exhaustion and if not treated can further develop into a heat stroke, which is extremely dangerous and can lead to death.
You might have heard of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Some people experience feelings of sadness or changes in mood when the seasons begin or end. Did you know that in addition to winter depression there is also summer depression? Some of the depression symptoms one may experience are feelings of sadness, irritability, hopelessness, loss of energy, loss of interest in activities one normally enjoys doing, difficulty concentrating, sleeping, or eating, physical symptoms, and even thoughts of suicide.
How have you been dealing with the high heat levels this summer?
What safety plan are you putting in place to protect your health?
Are you experiencing any SAD symptoms?
10 Safety Tips To Protect Your Health:
1. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
2. Wear loose clothing that is also light and use sunglasses and head covering
3. Take a cool shower or bath
4. Use sunscreen
5. Stay in the shade
6. Go to places that have AC, such as a mall or a museum
7. Limit outdoor activities during peak heat times
8. Take advantage of fun indoor activities, such as reading a book or watching a movie
9. Plan meals that don’t require the use of an oven
10. Never leave children or pets in a vehicle
As you consider the affects a hot summer day can have on your physical and mental well-being, know your own personal risk factors. Do you have any medical conditions that could put you at a higher risk? Are you taking any psychiatric medications? Do you experience seasonal affective disorder? If you have health problems that would put you at greater risk, talk to your primary care physician about how you can best protect yourself during the hot summer weather.
It's important to “learn the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and how to treat them” and who is most affected by them. Do your research and what signs to look for. A good place to find information is on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
"Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you." 1 Cor. 6:19
References:
Comments