I've always known heat waves are pretty rough on our physical health, but lately, I've realized how much they can mess with our minds too. I hail from a region where temperatures often exceed 40 degrees Celsius during the summer, and I feel severe changes in my mood and general mental well-being on such days of the year. This was something that nobody ever spoke about, yet it was equally essential to be brought into the limelight.
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With a wave of heat, the heat and bright sun make us sweaty and dehydrated. Beyond the physical discomfort lies a subtle but equally challenging effect on mental health. I have invariably felt irritable and anxious on such scorching days. It is as if the temperature seems to unleash emotions, which are usually kept in check.
The nights, when it is really hot, become particularly problematic for sleep. Sleep eludes one when one feels as if he or she is sleeping in an oven. Consequently, you don't get quality sleep, which worsens the situation and hence progresses into a cycle of continual tiredness and irritability. I have had nights where I rolled around for hours on the bed to wake up tired and in a bad mood the following day. This will not only change my mood but also affect my concentration and other capabilities to get things done. I find simple tasks to do, which otherwise I would rush through, becoming mountains to climb.
One thing that surprised me was just how heat could maximize stress and anxiety. Under everyday pressure, extreme heat frequently makes everything more overwhelming. I have been having days recently where the oppressiveness of the heat makes me worry a great deal about things that would not normally bug me so much.
Similarly, I have also experienced some of the physical symptoms that accompany the mental strain of withstanding a heat wave. Constant fatigue, regular headaches, dizziness sometimes, or even nausea—these all constitute the package deal of what has been happening. Once more, these physical discomforts contribute to one more level of mental misery and thus create a self-reinforcing cycle that is extremely difficult to get out of. This honestly reminds us that our psychological and physical health intertwine with each other when going through extreme conditions like heat waves.
What's even more concerning is how heat waves can worsen existing mental health conditions. For those friends and family members out there who already face battling with issues like anxiety or depression, it might be tough for them during the heat. These temperature hikes will instantly cramp up their symptoms, making it even harder for them to cope.
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So, how do we cope with this?
Staying hydrated is one of the simplest and most effective remedies I've found, not only to keep up but also to combat the mental strain heat waves can cause. Drinking lots of water helps keep the body cool and the mind clear. Also, those loose, light-colored clothing has made a big difference by allowing my skin to breathe and helping me stay more comfortable. I stay indoors as much as possible during the hottest parts of the day and enjoy the cool air by entering air-conditioned places or taking a cold shower to lower my body temperature.
Allowing myself to stop and rest, both body and mind, has made it possible to keep whatever sanity I'm left with while going through such intense heat waves. Of course, stress management through deep breathing and meditation helps. These small steps can bring many immense changes in the way we handle heat.
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