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Wis. (WBAY) — High temperatures don’t just take a toll on your physical health — they can impact your mental health as well
Psychologist Susan Albers with Cleveland Clinic said extreme heat can make people feel stressed, irritable, sad, depressed and anxious
“Heat mimics anxiety — symptoms such as sweating, racing heart, dizziness. These are common to being overheated and anxious, and your brain can mistake the two,” Albers said
The first step is recognizing what’s happening. If you’re feeling irritable or your mood has changed, you may be overheated
Experts say regulating your body temperature can help you feel calmer. A few quick ways to cool down:
- Drink cool water
- Place a cold washcloth on your wrist or behind your neck for 60 seconds
Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink cool water
You can also stay hydrated with water-rich foods, including:
- Frozen grapes
- Popsicles
- Cucumbers
Finding ways to get good, quality sleep on hot nights is also important. Options include:
- Taking a cool shower before bed
- Using fans
- Using blackout curtains
The CDC says young children, older adults and anyone with pre-existing mental health or other chronic conditions are more vulnerable to the effects of heat. Experts say it’s important to check on those individuals often on extremely hot days
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