A heatwave can negatively effect your mood and mind. Here’s how to combat the temperatures
Expert’s top tips on how to protect your wellbeing in a heatwave
- Practitioner psychologist Dr Ravi Gill says intense heat impacts mental well-being by disrupting neurotransmitter systems, impairing sleep, and raising stress hormones like cortisol.
- Heatwaves lead to irritability and mood instability, impair cognitive functions like memory and focus, and can exacerbate existing mental health conditions.
- High nighttime temperatures prevent restorative sleep, which is crucial for emotional processing and memory, leading to increased emotional volatility and reduced resilience.
- Dr Gill says effective coping strategies include maintaining hydration with electrolytes, ensuring a consistent sleep schedule in a cool environment, and practising relaxation techniques.
- Dr Gill also recommends scheduling mentally demanding tasks for cooler parts of the day.