I AM HOT!!!

By: Melody Rabor-Dizon

 

I noticed myself these days reaching for my rescue medications for my migraines as often as twice daily . Seems like I have to squint more, wear a darker shade of sunglasses, shut the blinds earlier, prepare when I go outside, but wait – isn’t this what I’ve been waiting for all year long- SUMMER? Yes, SUMMER is here! But why am I dreading it? Why the migraines? Why the short tempered-ness, easily irate attitude or crankiness? Could it be because of the weather? Because it’s too hot? But I love the heat, I love the sun. So why? So, here’s me digging in for answers as maybe some of you may be able to relate to me. And it doesn’t help if your AC is broken too. DINO!!!!!!!!

And so the heat is on— when the mercury rises, tempers get tested, you get snappy, your fuse is shorter, you are hot-headed, you are irritable, you easily get into an argument. There’s no day pass nor hall pass. Researchers say if you’re feeling all that, well you’re not alone. In fact, science has proven that hot days take a toll on our bodies. There is actually a link between heat and our mood.

Exactly how?

Experts say, the most basic reason is that heat is uncomfortable and when we’re uncomfortable, we get irritable leading to hot tempers and aggression exacerbating our irritation.

Here are a number of factors that are associated with heat:

1. Sleep: Hot temperatures, especially when accompanied by humidity, make it difficult to sleep. Sleep deprivation can lead to a variety of problems, including depression, tiredness, and an inability to concentrate. Let’s face it—poor quality sleep leaves us tired and irritable.

2. Dehydration: Heat dehydrates us, which is problematic because adequate hydration is critical for optimal health and brain function. When we’re dehydrated, we get tired and cranky.

3. Activity Restriction: Hot, humid weather can sometimes restrict our activities and force us inside into temperature-controlled environments. Being cooped up inside is enough to make anyone grouchy.

4. Lack of Control: We can’t control the weather—but a heat wave can leave us feeling like we have no control over our circumstances, which leads to frustration and irritability.

5. Noted more violent behavior with higher rate of drug use and alcohol abuse

6. Reduced concentration and lack of energy. 7. Anxiety tends to decrease with a rise in temperatures

8. Depression and lowered mood tends to increase with a rise in temperatures

So how can we beat the heat and the bad mood Like us, Chicagoans who are accustomed to cold weather, an occasional heatwave is enough to send our nerves to the ceiling. There are several things we can do to cope with the heat, that’s only here for a month, two at best.

o Minimize your outdoor time. If you must be outside, avoid the midday heat. Put off running any errands or trips outside the house that can wait until the heat wave breaks. Instead, try to schedule your outdoor time during the early morning or the late evening when the temperatures are a little cooler.

o Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Staying hydrated is the most important thing you can do.

o Use caution with medications. Some medications, such as blood pressure medications, are diuretics. If you’re taking medication, discuss the ramifications of heat with your doctor. You may need to drink extra water to stay hydrated.

o Use caution with exercise. Depending on the temperature and humidity levels, outdoor exercise is sometimes not advised. Skip your workout or head to the gym.

o Seek air conditioning. If you don’t have air conditioning, head for the library, shopping mall, movie theater, or somewhere cool. If you can’t afford an air conditioner, make sure you at least have one or two fans. Seek out friends or family who has air cooling devices and maybe spend a lot of time in quasi-public places like the senior center, or similar kinds of places that offer air conditioning.

o If no air conditioner, minimize your indoor temperatures by keeping your blinds or curtains mostly shut, especially southern-facing windows.

o Take it easy. The heat can zap your energy, so adjust accordingly. Take your cues from cultures that live near the equator and adopt the habit of the afternoon siesta. Naps can help get through the hottest portion of the day.

o Avoid making any big decisions or lifestyle changes during a heat wave, especially if the changes are emotionally charged. You may not be thinking clearly and might regret your decision later.

o Focus on what you can control. Remember that this too shall pass. Focus on the positive as much as possible. If the heat has forced you indoors, perhaps it’s an excellent time to catch up on a project you’ve been procrastinating.

o Relax: There are a variety of mind-body techniques that you can use to relax and shift your mood, including guided imagery, meditation, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and music.

o If you’re feeling dizzy or odd, call 911 or emergency services right away.

Considerations for our Lolo’s and Lola’s (our elderly)

Because there are greater concerns for older people in hot weather, we need to keep in mind that the medication they are taking may also negatively affect their body’s ability to cope with higher temperatures. And just because the heat didn’t used to bother them when they were younger doesn’t mean they should ignore their body’s warning signs when they are getting more and more dehydrated in hot temperatures.

1. There are changes in an older person that raise the risk for heat stroke and other problems. An older body contains far less water than a younger one. Older brains can’t sense temperature changes as well, and they don’t recognize thirst as easily.

2. Heat exhaustion can cause muscle cramps, low blood pressure, rapid pulse and nausea. It can be treated at home, by drinking water, getting into an air-conditioned room or sitting in front of a fan and misting the body with cool water.

3. Medicines many older people take also may make them more vulnerable to the heat. These include diuretics for high blood pressure, which increase urination – and make it more important to drink plenty of water.

4. Some types of drugs can interfere with sweating and raise body temperature, including some medicines for insomnia, nausea, prostate conditions, Parkinson’s disease and even Benadryl. Many list “dry mouth” as a side effect – a tip-off to drink more water. Statistics show that:

• Seasonal affective disorder is real – (SAD) is a very real kind of depressive disorder (technically referred to as a depressive disorder with seasonal pattern) wherein a person’s major depressive episode is connected to a specific season. While we most commonly think of SAD affecting only people in the fall or winter months, a minority of people also experience SAD during the spring and summer months too.

• Heat (and extreme rain) brings out the worst in people – Studies found a link between human aggression and higher temperatures. As temperatures rose, the researchers noted that intergroup conflicts also tended to jump — by 14 percent (a significant increase). The scientists also found interpersonal violence rose by 4 percent.

• Suicides peak during the spring & summer

• Gun violence peaks during summer months especially in Chicago Bottom line, though weather doesn’t have to impact our mood, studies show otherwise. Summer comes once a year. Live life intentionally, live life to the fullest. Know your limits, know your boundaries. Know what you can take and know when it’s too much. Statistics are statistics. Numbers are just numbers but we don’t want to be a part of that number, do we? Are you on the negative number? Or on the positive number? I’d rather be on the positive – always. Stay cool.

References: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology; The Spatial and Temporal Ecology of Violence. Environment and Behavior; The Contingent Effects of Weather on Mood and Cognition. Psychological