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See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
Concentration difficulties
- 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.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Mood change
- You might feel more irritable, anxious, or depressed than usual with hotter weather. Some people might also feel more aggressive.
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
Trouble sleeping
- 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.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Feeling overwhelmed or stressed
- Heat can make you feel overwhelmed or stressed, especially if you're worried about the heat itself!
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Physical symptoms
- Heat can also cause physical symptoms that affect your mental health. For example, you might get headaches, which can make you feel sad or anxious.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Changes in behavior
- The heat might make you act differently. For example, you might be more impulsive or have difficulty controlling your anger.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Groups at highest risk for heat-related mental health issues
- 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.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Chronic illness
- Limited mobility and worsened physical symptoms due to a chronic illness can impact your mood during heat waves.
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Dementia
- Dementia is a risk factor for hospitalization and death during heat waves.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Pregnancy
- Poor mental health during pregnancy may lead to pregnancy complications or low birth weight.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Substance abuse problems
- Substance abuse problems can make it harder to adapt to climate change.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Preexisting mental health conditions
- This is especially true for people taking antidepressants and antipsychotics, which may affect how the body regulates temperature.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Financial challenges
- 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.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Hot weather and suicide
- 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.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Suicide prevention
- So when it comes to suicide prevention, we should think about how hot weather might be making things worse.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
What this means for public health
- Studies show that we need to think about hot weather and climate change when we're making plans to keep people healthy.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Heat waves and hospital visits
- 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.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Climate change and mental health
- According to UCLA Health, more than 50% of Americans say climate change makes them anxious.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Climate anxiety
- Climate anxiety, also referred to as eco-anxiety, refers to distressing feelings related to the impacts of climate change.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Root cause of climate anxiety
- This type of distress is often rooted in feelings of uncertainty, lack of control, and concerns over well-being or safety.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
How to manage heat and mental health
- When the temperature starts to rise, there are a number of ways to protect your mental health.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Stay hydrated
- Dehydration can worsen stress, anxiety, and irritability. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you're sweating a lot.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Stay cool
- 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.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Avoid being out during the hottest part of the day
- 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.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Take care of your physical health
- Physical health supports mental health, so eat balanced meals, exercise, and get enough sleep.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Wear appropriate clothing
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing to help stay cool. Additionally, light-colored clothing can help reflect the sun's rays when you're outside.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Practice stress management techniques
- Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can help manage feelings of stress and anxiety.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Reach out to others
- 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.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Follow your treatment plan
- 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: The most intense heat waves in history
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
Concentration difficulties
- 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.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Mood change
- You might feel more irritable, anxious, or depressed than usual with hotter weather. Some people might also feel more aggressive.
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
Trouble sleeping
- 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.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Feeling overwhelmed or stressed
- Heat can make you feel overwhelmed or stressed, especially if you're worried about the heat itself!
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Physical symptoms
- Heat can also cause physical symptoms that affect your mental health. For example, you might get headaches, which can make you feel sad or anxious.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Changes in behavior
- The heat might make you act differently. For example, you might be more impulsive or have difficulty controlling your anger.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Groups at highest risk for heat-related mental health issues
- 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.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Chronic illness
- Limited mobility and worsened physical symptoms due to a chronic illness can impact your mood during heat waves.
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Dementia
- Dementia is a risk factor for hospitalization and death during heat waves.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Pregnancy
- Poor mental health during pregnancy may lead to pregnancy complications or low birth weight.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Substance abuse problems
- Substance abuse problems can make it harder to adapt to climate change.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Preexisting mental health conditions
- This is especially true for people taking antidepressants and antipsychotics, which may affect how the body regulates temperature.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Financial challenges
- 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.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Hot weather and suicide
- 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.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Suicide prevention
- So when it comes to suicide prevention, we should think about how hot weather might be making things worse.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
What this means for public health
- Studies show that we need to think about hot weather and climate change when we're making plans to keep people healthy.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Heat waves and hospital visits
- 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.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Climate change and mental health
- According to UCLA Health, more than 50% of Americans say climate change makes them anxious.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Climate anxiety
- Climate anxiety, also referred to as eco-anxiety, refers to distressing feelings related to the impacts of climate change.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Root cause of climate anxiety
- This type of distress is often rooted in feelings of uncertainty, lack of control, and concerns over well-being or safety.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
How to manage heat and mental health
- When the temperature starts to rise, there are a number of ways to protect your mental health.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Stay hydrated
- Dehydration can worsen stress, anxiety, and irritability. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you're sweating a lot.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Stay cool
- 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.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Avoid being out during the hottest part of the day
- 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.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Take care of your physical health
- Physical health supports mental health, so eat balanced meals, exercise, and get enough sleep.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Wear appropriate clothing
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing to help stay cool. Additionally, light-colored clothing can help reflect the sun's rays when you're outside.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Practice stress management techniques
- Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can help manage feelings of stress and anxiety.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Reach out to others
- 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.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Follow your treatment plan
- 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: The most intense heat waves in history
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
How rising temperatures could worsen mental health
How do heat waves impact you?
© Shutterstock
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.
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