How Extreme Heat Affects Our Mental Health

New research has uncovered a link between higher-than-normal temperatures and an increase in visits to the emergency room for mental health.

Take two minutes to read, explore, and reflect. By Wendy Rose Gould & Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Top of Mind The Link Between Extreme Heat and Mental Health   If you've ever been somewhere exceptionally warm, you know just how uncomfortable and miserable it can be. With climate change, soaring temperatures are becoming more common—even in places that previously didn't deal with heat and aren't as equipped to accommodate. New research has now uncovered a link between higher-than-normal temperatures and an increase in visits to the emergency room for mental health.   The U.S. study examined three million visits related to issues such as substance abuse disorders, anxiety disorders, and depression disorders, all of which were associated with extreme heat. To date, it's considered the largest and most comprehensive analysis of how daily ambient temperature affects emergency room visits.   Researchers from the study theorize that heat acts as an external stressor on the body, which can lead to poor sleep quality, discomfort, and feelings of irritability. All the above can exacerbate and trigger mental health conditions.   Those most at risk include people with existing mental health conditions, people who have weather-exposed jobs, and those with limited access to resources such as air conditioning, clean water, and mental health care.       Physical discomfort can take a toll on mental health, even if the discomfort does not rise to the level of chronic pain that is recognized as potentially deleterious for psychological health." — SURAJI WAGAGE, PHD, JD  What This Means For You Climate change is anxiety-inducing in its own right. Additional specific stressors, such as increased temperatures, can exacerbate the issue and affect our mental health. There are resources that can help, including hotline numbers and cooling centers.   Being proactive about your mental health care can also help. For example, even being aware of how mental health is impacted by heat may empower you to monitor mood, manage sleep, and reach out for help if needed.   On the Bright Side Ways to Stay Positive This Week What's Inspiring Us The Climate Change podcast is hosted by Scott Amyx, a globally renowned expert in product innovation. It shares the latest insights on climate change, as well as breakthrough technologies and innovations that bring hope.   Products to Help You Feel Your Best "A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety" serves as a guidebook to help us navigate and confront climate change. It's written by Sarah Jaquette Ray, professor and chair of environmental studies at Cal Poly Humboldt. The Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) offers immediate crisis counseling to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. It's available any time of day and every day of the week. Self-help books that target anxiety management can also be very useful. Here are the 10 best books for anxiety on the market, all written by experts. Read These Next The Current State of Climate Anxiety READ NOW How the Mental Health Impact of Climate Change Goes Beyond Anxiety READ NOW Nature-Based Activities Can Improve Your Mood and Limit Anxiety READ NOW Spread the Light Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. SHARE We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com.     You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here!   A DOTDASH MEREDITH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2022 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy