A crippling and life-threatening disease
According to UCLA Health, more than 50% of Americans say climate change makes them anxious.
If you have a mental health condition and are under the care of a healthcare provider, continue to follow your treatment plan. Contact your primary care physician or mental health provider if your symptoms get worse during periods of extreme heat.
Sources: (UCLA Health) (Anxiety and Depression Association of America)
See also: Everyday things you didn't realize are harming your mental health
If possible, try to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day. However, if you need to be outside, try to stay in the shade.
Climate anxiety, also referred to as eco-anxiety, refers to distressing feelings related to the impacts of climate change.
This type of distress is often rooted in feelings of uncertainty, lack of control, and concerns over well-being or safety.
Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can help manage feelings of stress and anxiety.
So when it comes to suicide prevention, we should think about how hot weather might be making things worse.
Physical health supports mental health, so eat balanced meals, exercise, and get enough sleep.
Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing to help stay cool. Additionally, light-colored clothing can help reflect the sun's rays when you're outside.
Try to spend time in air-conditioned places if possible. If you don't have air conditioning at home, consider visiting a public place that does. You can also use fans or take cool showers.
When the temperature starts to rise, there are a number of ways to protect your mental health.
Studies show that we need to think about hot weather and climate change when we're making plans to keep people healthy.
When it's hot outside, people who already have mental health problems might feel even worse, and might need to visit the hospital. This means that hospitals and clinics need to be ready for more patients during heat waves.
Studies have sadly found that when the temperature goes up, so do suicide rates. This seems to be especially true for men and older people.
Substance abuse problems can make it harder to adapt to climate change.
Poor mental health during pregnancy may lead to pregnancy complications or low birth weight.
This is especially true for people taking antidepressants and antipsychotics, which may affect how the body regulates temperature.
Heat can make you feel overwhelmed or stressed, especially if you're worried about the heat itself!
The heat might make you act differently. For example, you might be more impulsive or have difficulty controlling your anger.
In the case of hot weather, financial challenges that don't allow for air conditioning or access to quality medical care could impact you mentally.
Limited mobility and worsened physical symptoms due to a chronic illness can impact your mood during heat waves.
Dementia is a risk factor for hospitalization and death during heat waves.
High heat and changing weather can affect everyone's mood. However, some people have a higher risk of mental health symptoms associated with heat, including those living with chronic illness, dementia, pregnancy, substance abuse problems, preexisting mental health conditions, and financial difficulties.
You might feel more irritable, anxious, or depressed than usual with hotter weather. Some people might also feel more aggressive.
Hot temperatures can disrupt your sleep. As a result, this can make you feel tired, grumpy, and can worsen mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
High temperatures can make it harder to focus or think clearly. You might find it difficult to complete tasks that usually aren't a problem for you.
With heat waves becoming more common in recent years, we've seen how higher temperatures can directly impact the environment. But we've felt the effects, too! Many of us are aware of the impact on our physical health, especially our heart and lungs. However, studies have found that extreme heat can also affect your mental health. From stress to mood swings, extreme heat can affect our mental health in various ways.
Intrigued? To learn how high temperatures might be affecting you mentally, and what you can do about it, check out this gallery.
If you're feeling down or anxious, reach out to friends, family, or a mental health professional. They can provide support and help you find ways to manage your symptoms.
Dehydration can worsen stress, anxiety, and irritability. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you're sweating a lot.
How rising temperatures could worsen mental health
Is global warming taking a toll on our mental well-being?
HEALTH Global warming
With heat waves becoming more common in recent years, we've seen how higher temperatures can directly impact the environment. But we've felt the effects, too! Many of us are aware of the impact on our physical health, especially our heart and lungs. However, studies have found that extreme heat can also affect your mental health. From stress to mood swings, extreme heat can affect our mental health in various ways.
Intrigued? To learn how high temperatures might be affecting you mentally, and what you can do about it, check out this gallery.