Rising humidity is only making heatwaves worse
Temperatures are rising, particularly in the southeast, but that only tells part of the story because conditions are also turning more humid, making it feel increasingly uncomfortable.
The natural way we deal with hot weather is by sweating. As sweat evaporates from the skin it takes heat with it and cools the skin, which is why you feel cooler getting out of a shower, because the water on the skin is evaporating. But humid air holds more moisture, making it difficult for sweat to evaporate, so it drips off the skin, leaving clothes wet and feeling thoroughly uncomfortable.
Air-conditioning helps to relieve the stress, although homes in the UK typically don't have it so the heat stress can feel relentless, especially on humid nights when it is difficult to sleep. Air-conditioning guzzles energy, however, straining the power grid and adding to climate warming if the power is generated from fossil fuels.
• Heatwaves above 40C are the future, says Met Office
Humidity is a growing problem in many parts of the world, driven in large part by rising temperatures in the world's oceans, created by the extra heat in the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels. As a result, the amount of water vapour over the oceans has increased by roughly 5 per cent since the industrial era began, and as the world carries on warming the air will grow increasingly humid.
Humidity is dangerous too. In hotter parts of the world people acclimatise to humidity to some extent, but in the milder climate of the UK it takes longer for the body to adjust, especially at the start of a heatwave.
For healthy people the body can usually adjust to hot, sticky weather, but older people are more vulnerable because they can struggle to lose heat by sweating, putting more stress on the body, especially if they have health problems. This is why 80 to 90 per cent of heatwave casualties are people over 65. To help cope with these conditions, heat-health alerts are now routinely given in the UK before a heatwave takes hold.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
12 minutes ago
- The Independent
If Labour cuts my PIP, I lose everything I have worked for
It's been a horrific few weeks – few months – for disabled people, with the never-ending uncertainty around the Labour government's disability benefit cuts making our community scared for our lives. The government claims their welfare reforms are to help support disabled people into work, but they're ignoring the fact that many disabled people can only work because of the benefits they receive – and I'm one of them. I live with a wide range of conditions including lupus, endometriosis, arthritis, migraines and dyspraxia, the toll these have on my body means that my disability mostly manifests through lack of energy and cognitive function. I would never be able to work a full time job or one with a strict schedule, as I can only work for a few hours at a time before I can't look at a screen anymore. I mostly work from bed as that's where I'm most comfortable. However, I've still managed to build a pretty successful career as a writer. With my limited energy and time, I've also helped shape the Taking the PIP campaign, which has brought together more than 130 well-known disabled people to urge the prime minister to stop the cruel cuts to benefits. But the harsh reality is that if these cuts are approved next week, with a second reading vote on the welfare reform bill, I will lose everything I have. I receive £558 a month in PIP. I also receive Universal Credit, the amount of which changes every month because I have to input my earnings, but is roughly around £400 a month. At a time when I only have the energy to work one or two hours a week, it means that I'm not working myself to the bone in order to be able to afford to live and can still afford my bills. Currently, you have to score 8 points to qualify for the daily living component of PIP. But if the eligibility changes come in, you will also have to score at least 4 points in one activity – these involving your ability to cook and clean, socialise and maintain good hygiene. On my last assessment, the highest I scored on all activities was 2. Due to my depression and neurodivergent conditions, I've made myself ill in the past with bad hygiene. I have to be reminded or pushed to keep myself clean. When I'm in deep depressive episodes, I will go days, or sometimes even weeks, without changing my clothes or washing myself. It's unsafe for me to do certain things in the kitchen as I sometimes lack control of my hands. I enjoy cooking, but often cut or burn myself and struggle to use many kitchen utensils. My cognitive and mental health conditions also mean I put housework at the bottom of the list, and prioritise just keeping myself alive. Only this week, I had to deep-clean my house – with the support of friends – after I discovered a fly infestation. But I make allowances so that I can live a good, independent life. I have apps that remind me to clean and eat, I buy pre-sliced food or mostly rely on ready meals. I live in social housing, in an accessible bungalow, so I can move around it safely without fear that I will put myself in danger. I live five minutes from my parents, who are on hand to help with housework. But if Labour's cuts to PIP go through, I won't be able to afford to continue living my lovely little life. I will be forced to find a job that will push me mentally and physically to breaking point. If I lose my PIP, I genuinely can't guarantee I'll still be here in five years time. And I'm far from the only one. Under Labour plans, more than 3.2 million people will see their benefits cut, pushing around 8,000 people into poverty or even absolute poverty, which is defined by the UN as 'a condition characterised by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information. It depends not only on income but also on access to services.' More than 280,000 PIP claimants who are already in work would lose their support – and, as a result, could lose their jobs. In return, just 1-3 per cent of those affected will be able to move into work. While many working people will be affected, those who can't work will also be hard hit. Where I agree with the government is that the welfare system does need reform, but only to make it more compassionate and less inhumane. Starmer says the welfare system 'doesn't work for anyone', and that it's 'counterproductive' and 'works against them getting into work'. It is all well and good the government saying they want to support people into work – but when they're also quietly cutting Access to Work entitlement, their actions don't show it. I hear every single day from scared disabled people who have no idea how they'll survive if these cuts go through. The government can claim this is a cost-cutting measure all they want, but the reality is that the very real cost will be that of disabled people's lives. Is that really a debt politicians want on their hands? * Rachel Charlton-Dailey is a journalist and disability rights campaigner who is part of the 'Taking the PIP' campaign
Daily Mail
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Beauty fans are racing to snap up this new Elizabeth Arden SPF with 20% off - plus score free gifts when you shop
Summer is here, and if there's one thing more important than booking in multiple garden BBQs, then it is making sure you've got the right face SPF. Thankfully, Elizabeth Arden has us well and truly covered. Coined 'flawless' by impressed reviewers, the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour® HydraPlay™ Daily Defense Nourishing Fluid SPF40 is a lightweight formula designed to hydrate and protect the skin for a glowing finish. The best part? You can score 20 per cent off for a limited time. Eight Hour HydraPlay Daily Defense Nourishing Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 40, 50ml Designed for impressive comfort and protection, the Eight Hour® HydraPlay™ Daily Defense Nourishing Fluid boasts SPF40 protection to keep your skin shielded from UVA/UVB rays, blue light and pollution with no white cast or oily residue. The lightweight and non-sticky formula looks flawless on the skin while remaining fragrance-free and perfect for sensitive skin. MailOnline shoppers can score a huge 20 per cent off this bestselling formula when you purchase two items from the new Hydraplay™ Collection using code PLAY20. £25.60 (save £6.40) Shop That's right, MailOnline shoppers can score a huge 20 per cent off this bestselling formula when you purchase two items from the new Hydraplay™ Collection using code PLAY20, an unmissable saving on cult-favourite skincare. Better still, this exclusive code will entitle you to two free deluxe samples with your purchase of any Hydraplay product, the perfect way to try out new formulas for less. Designed for impressive comfort and protection, the Eight Hour® HydraPlay™ Daily Defense Nourishing Fluid boasts SPF40 protection to keep your skin shielded from UVA/UVB rays, blue light and pollution without any white cast or oily residue. The totally lightweight and non-sticky formula has been designed to look flawless on the skin while remaining fragrance-free and gentle on sensitive skin, ensuring no stinging in sensitive areas - with many users raving about its 'ultra-gentle formula'. 'I love how it gives my skin a healthy, dewy glow without looking oily. You can see in the close-up—my skin looks hydrated, smooth, and radiant,' wrote one impressed five-star reviewer. 'It wears beautifully under makeup and hasn't caused any irritation or breakouts, which is a big plus for my sensitive skin.' This is all thanks to the inclusion of a whole host of skin-loving ingredients that work together to deliver the perfect, glow-giving and deeply hydrating finish that's perfect for everyday wear. These include a Botanical Blend of rice and soybean oil that helps protect against the skin-ageing effects of blue light and pollution, sugar beet extract to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier and antioxidants to soothe and defend against the ageing effects of pollution. And users say it's the ' perfect SPF for summer', raving about its lightweight texture, hydrating formula and 'gorgeous glowy finish' it leaves. Ready to upgrade your sun protection? Snap up this top-rated formula and any other Hydraplay product today and save a whopping 20 per cent using code PLAY20 'I really loved this sunscreen. I've been using it nonstop since it arrived it's almost gone!' wrote one five-star reviewer. 'It has a lightweight texture, leaves no white cast, and feels hydrating without being greasy. Perfect under makeup and gentle on my sensitive skin. A daily essential!' Another added: 'This product is highly recommended. Not only has sunscreen but the hydration it provides is phenomenal and one of the best I have ever used. Definitely a must have!' 'OMG-I haven't used Elizabeth Arden for years,' a third reviewer explained. 'I forgot what great products they have. I've been using the Eight Hour HydraPlay Daily for the past month and am LOVING IT.' 'I use it in the morning in place of my moisturizer and sunscreen. It works great under my makeup and is not sticky nor does it leave a white residue.' Ready to upgrade your sun protection? Snap up this top-rated formula and any other Hydraplay product today and save a whopping 20 per cent using code PLAY20. Elizabeth Arden Hydraplay collection
Telegraph
26 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Poor sleep and no routine – the seven things that make ADHD worse
From forgotten appointments and lost keys to emotional ups and downs, poor sleep and chronic procrastination, living with ADHD can feel like being on a rollercoaster with no end in sight. While these daily struggles are frustrating, they rarely happen in isolation, and many things can make them worse. Research shows that those with ADHD often live with co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, as well as other neurodevelopmental disorders like autism or dyslexia. There's also a higher risk of addiction, which can further intensify symptoms. Medication can be transformative – but it doesn't work for everyone, and the wrong dose can be counterproductive. Yet alongside these more clinical drivers, experts point to a range of lifestyle and environmental triggers that can quietly make ADHD worse: inconsistent routines, poor sleep and diet, digital overload, even hormonal shifts in perimenopause. The good news is some of these are within your control. 'I commonly use this idea of being on and off track. Because ADHD is a disorder of dysregulation, many things can knock you off that track,' says Dr James Kustow, a consultant psychiatrist specialising in ADHD and author of How to Thrive with Adult ADHD. Here's what can make ADHD worse – and what might help. Lack of routine and structure Because of executive dysfunction struggles, routine is especially important for those with ADHD. 'ADHD can feel like you're a ship being blown around because every day is like Groundhog Day. You don't have a great sense of the past or future, so you need things in the present to anchor you, to make you feel safe and present, to stabilise the ship,' says Dr Kustow. Prioritising and decision making are often difficult, so without any external structure, there is a danger of drift or not being productive or efficient. 'Then you might miss deadlines, or not pay your bills, and suddenly you're in firefighting mode and all sense of balance goes out of the window,' says Dr Kustow. What to do: Build in consistency to your week with anchor points like a regular hobby, work periods or exercise class, with some flexibility for variation and novelty. Make sure there are fixed, scheduled activities (EG: 'Monday is yoga night, 'take pills after brushing teeth') and habits that repeat on a rolling basis. Plan out your days into blocks, making sure to allow time for meals and meal prep, morning and evening routines, work, social time and downtime. Poor sleep Struggling with sleep is a bit of a hallmark of ADHD, and one of the 'signs we look for in assessments,' says Dr Fleur-Michelle Coiffat, a consultant clinical psychologist who specialises in neurodiversity. ADHD-ers often have disrupted circadian rhythms, struggling to get to sleep or waking at odd hours. Poor sleep also worsens ADHD symptoms like focus, anxiety and impulsivity. ADHD is often called a 'dopamine disorder'. Lower levels of this neurotransmitter drive people to seek stimulation, like scrolling social media or watching TV late, which keeps the mind switched on. What to do: Dr Coiffat recommends a pre-sleep routine to relax the mind and body. 'Put down your devices, dim the lighting, and do calm activities like a bath, reading or gentle stretches.' She also suggests exercise to counter restlessness. 'If you don't burn off energy during the day, it can make you restless at night – including hyperactivity of the mind,' she adds. Journaling can help. 'Get your thoughts down on paper, but limit it to 10 minutes, so you don't start to get anxious,' she says. Meditation may also help quieten and slow down the mind. A negative mindset From comments like 'you're lazy', 'disorganised' and 'unmotivated', people with ADHD have often had a lifetime of absorbing negative messages and as a result often struggle with shame and lack of self-confidence. 'This can lead to withdrawal, people might think nobody likes them, or they'll say the wrong thing, or that they don't fit in or can't manage a task. But social interaction with trusted friends, family and colleagues can help with these negative thoughts,' says Dr Coiffat. Emotional dysregulation is often a key marker of ADHD, and many experts talk about 'rejection sensitivity dysphoria', where people are extremely sensitive to criticism and perceived rejection. What to do: 'Communication is important, it might be as simple as asking someone to adjust how they give feedback, or how they respond to emails,' says Dr Coiffat. Dr Kustow advises nurturing a growth, rather than a fixed, mindset. 'When faced with a setback, think about what you can learn from it, and how adversity makes you stronger. Also, it's important to address the self-esteem challenges of ADHD with support scaffolds – spiritual, social, family and therapeutic,' he adds. Poor diet leading to blood sugar crashes Many ADHD-ers reach for sugar, caffeine and energy drinks as well as processed foods to give them a short-term hit. This can lead to issues like overeating or skipping meals, which is why they have higher rates of obesity and binge-eating disorder. 'Reaching for sugar hits can be addictive, and get you into a vicious cycle. If your blood sugar levels are spiking, that will heighten issues with attention, focus and restlessness. A lot of people with ADHD, and I do this myself, are often so focused on something or using all their brain capacity just to get through the day that they forget to eat, which also leads to a crash,' says Dr Coiffat. What to do: Keep blood sugar consistent by eating regularly and healthily. Try to keep simple snacks like a handful of nuts on hand. Avoid sugar and simple carbohydrates like white flour and rice, and include sufficient protein in every meal, as protein helps stabilise blood sugar. Get 'hits' from other sources like live music, exercise, and cold water swimming. An over-stimulating environment People with ADHD can thrive on a certain degree of novelty and stimulation, as monotonous tasks can cause shutdown, zoning out or restlessness. However, it's a fine balance as chronic stress and anxiety can also intensify ADHD symptoms, leading to potential increased impulsivity, difficulty concentrating, problems with emotional regulation, performance at work and burnout. People can vary quite widely here. Many might struggle with a 9-5, desk-based job in an open plan office with a lot of potential for noise and distractibility. However, for others, the noise and routine could be helpful. 'There can be a struggle to get in for 9am because of their sleep rhythms, then there is the sensory overload of a journey on public transport in rush hour. The monotony of a desk job that involves little interaction can exacerbate physical and mental restlessness,' says Dr Kustow. However, many with ADHD are also on the autistic spectrum. 'I have a patient who loves archiving, because it's just bringing order into things, but that would be extremely boring for someone who doesn't have that combination,' he adds. Social media and excessive screen use are often a problem as ADHD-ers crave stimulation and the dopamine hits of excessive scrolling, but this can also exacerbate problems with concentration. What to do: In the workplace, it's important to limit screen time and schedule regular screen and meal breaks, as well as time to move around and get outside. 'Jobs that involve creativity, project work, variety and problem solving can be more suitable', says Dr Kustow. But take time to understand your individual needs. Toxins and environmental stressors This is an emerging area, but people with ADHD may be more likely to have allergies, autoimmunity and inflammation, says Dr Kustow. 'Some have more sensitive immune systems, with hypermobility, allergies or chronic illness.' He highlights mould. 'If you're in a mouldy home and struggling with brain function, they may be connected. Some evidence is anecdotal, but toxins may trigger inflammation in sensitive individuals,' he adds. What to do: If you are someone with ADHD who suffers from allergies and has poor immunity, it might be worth trying to reduce toxins in the areas that you have control over. You can gradually buy less toxic versions of cleaning products, both for your body and home, makeup, and natural, pesticide-free foods. Hormonal shifts like perimenopause and menopause Hormonal shifts can make ADHD worse, and also 'unmask' previously undiagnosed ADHD. Perimenopausal women are now one of the largest groups seeking diagnosis. 'During perimenopause, oestrogen levels become dysregulated and start going down, which also reduces dopamine. A woman with ADHD in their 40s may notice that their ADHD might worsen, and they might need higher doses of medication or HRT. Then there are the people who never got a diagnosis because they just about managed, but then suddenly it gets worse because of hormonal shifts and their ADHD is unmasked,' says Dr Kustow. What to do: Adjusting ADHD medication can be helpful, as can HRT. Some doctors might prescribe an antidepressant. Does ADHD get worse with age? ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, so it doesn't fundamentally change with age, although the way it manifests can evolve as a response to life events and physical changes. Children are more likely to be hyperactive than adults, and adults may have more issues with time management and organisation. 'In a minority, it can improve and resolve, but most will be stable but find that symptoms may get aggravated at different points in life, as demands change over time, including increasing life responsibilities, hormonal shifts, accumulated stress and physical decline. The demands of retirement are quite different from sitting at a desk doing complex calculations, for example, and symptoms may respond accordingly,' explains Dr Kustow. Dr James Kustow is the author of How to Thrive with Adult ADHD: 7 Pillars for Focus, Productivity and Balance. How to Thrive with Adult ADHD by Dr James Kustow is out now. All artwork by Nicholas Stevenson.
