Latest news with #heat
CNET
6 hours ago
- Health
- CNET
Extreme Heat Got You Down? Try These Mental Health Hacks to Cope
When the heat cranks up, the first things we usually worry about are sunburn and dehydration. But scorching temperatures don't just wear your body down, they can mess with your mental health, too. Studies have found that extreme heat can raise stress levels, disrupt sleep, and make anxiety or depression feel even worse. Much of the impact comes down to access. Those without reliable air conditioning, clean water or safe shelter are especially vulnerable, and heat-related stressors tend to pile up fast. Whether you're navigating a heat wave alone or caring for others, knowing how to protect your mental well-being is just as critical as staying physically cool. Simple actions like staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activity and creating cooler rest zones can go a long way toward protecting your peace of mind during the hottest months. Mental health conditions may increase your risk for heat-related illness Your risk of heat-related illness can increase if you have a mental health condition. But it's not a simple line from point A (having a mental illness) to B (having a higher risk). It all comes down to what resources you have access to, your awareness of your condition and the medications you take. I spoke with Dr. Ken Duckworth, chief medical officer at National Alliance on Mental Illness. During our conversation, he stressed the importance of access: "People with mental health conditions are more likely to not have access to air conditioning, and isolation can result for people who feel like they can't move or leave." One mental health condition can make it harder for your body to deal with high temperatures. A review published in the Journal of Schizophrenia Research revealed that those with schizophrenia have more difficulty adapting to heat. This then contributes to the higher risk of hospitalization during extreme heat. "People who take medications for psychiatric needs have to be especially careful. It's not all medications, but some antipsychotic medications reduce the ability to control temperature," Duckworth said. If a person who takes one of these antipsychotic medications is in the heat, their body temperature is more likely to mimic outdoor temperature. Examples of antipsychotic medications are Risperdal and Seroquel. Add in that schizophrenia is disproportionately represented in homeless populations, and you can see how someone might be at greater risk. However, if someone with schizophrenia can access air conditioning and community support, they don't have an increased risk. Medications can also interact with the heat in other ways. Another example that Duckworth spoke about was lithium, the gold standard for treatment for bipolar disorder. Those who take lithium can experience higher rates of lithium toxicity in the heat because as dehydration sets in, lithium levels increase. "People with bipolar disorder who know to stay hydrated are not really at risk of becoming lithium toxic," Duckworth said. The risk increases if you aren't aware of how your medication can interact with heat. "People who haven't been told that by their doctor or don't remember are more likely not to recognize they need to get their lithium levels checked." Health risk in the extreme heat doesn't directly depend on whether you have a mental health condition. It depends if you have access to air conditioning, community and knowledge of your condition. How can heat affect your daily mental health? The impact of heat on mental health isn't limited to those with an established history. The temperature outside can negatively impact your mental wellness in subtle ways you might not notice. Studies have found that heat influences a person's mental health regardless of age, sex and geographical location. A study published in JAMA Psychiatry that analyzed medical records of more than 2.2 million adults from 2010 to 2019 found that mental health-related emergency room visits increased by 8% during the hottest summer days. Mixmike/Getty Images It's harder to sleep in the heat To have good mental health, you need to sleep well. Unfortunately, that's easier said than done in the heat, especially if you live without air conditioning or sleep beside a human furnace. Sleep deprivation can amplify symptoms of anxiety and depression. Poor sleep makes it harder to regulate emotions, perceive stimuli and cope with stress. Aside from AC, there are ways to sleep cooler on hot nights: Freeze your bedding or socks before you get in bed. Block out as much heat from your bedroom as possible during the day. Blackout curtains are a great option. Use fans in your bedroom to keep air circulating. You can even add a bowl of ice in front of the fan for extra cooling. Anxiety is worse in the heat When you're hot, cortisol (the stress hormone) levels in the body spike. Our body fights to regulate our internal temperature, which adds stress and inflammation. This can leave you feeling irritated and uncomfortable. It can also trigger feelings of anxiety. There's also a broader toll that extreme heat conditions have on mental health. Climate anxiety is a real thing. According to Duckworth, rates of anxiety are higher in younger people. He attributes heat and climate change as one logical explanation that rates of generalized anxiety disorder are on the rise. "It's a sense of something terrifying that's out of our control," he said. Heat doesn't just affect anxiety in the moment. For many, it's a lasting concern that becomes a source of enduring anxious feelings. It's hard to regulate your mood in the heat Several things contribute to depression symptoms associated with heat. First, heat suppresses the brain's serotonin circulation, the hormone essential for regulating mood. There are also things that happen during summer that can contribute to depressive episodes -- financial worry, body image issues, and disrupted eating and sleep schedules. Seasonal affective disorder is a mood disorder marked by depressive symptoms that occur during the same period each year. It's not a one-off thing; it has to be observed for multiple years and established as a pattern. When you hear seasonal affective disorder, you likely think of winter, but SAD isn't limited to cold months. It can happen in the summer as well. "The key to all mental health conditions in general and mood disorders, in particular, is to get a good understanding of the pattern, if there is one for you," Duckworth said. "Learn about yourself, understand your patterns and don't feel bad if your pattern happens to be when everyone else is going to the beach." Some mood disorders like bipolar disorder are also aggravated when there is more light. A systematic review of studies found that heat triggers bipolar episodes that require hospital stays at a higher rate than other temperatures. However, as Duckworth explained, light is just one variable and doesn't mean you'll have more episodes. Those with bipolar disorder can plan and anticipate to reduce their risk. Tips to manage your daily mental health in the heat Just because it's hot outside doesn't mean your mental health will suffer. Being intentional about nourishing your health and looking for triggers can help you manage your wellness and beat the heat. Many tactics used to protect your body also apply to your mental health. Use these practical tips to enjoy the summer while boosting your mental health. Know how heat impacts your condition: Knowledge is one of the most essential components in the fight against heat. Talk to your doctor about how the heat may impact you or your medications, then plan accordingly. Knowledge is one of the most essential components in the fight against heat. Talk to your doctor about how the heat may impact you or your medications, then plan accordingly. Pay attention to your water intake : Dehydration is more prevalent during heat waves. Those with mental health conditions must pay special attention to how much water they drink, as dehydration can exacerbate symptoms. It also can compromise brain functioning and hamper serotonin production. : Dehydration is more prevalent during heat waves. Those with mental health conditions must pay special attention to how much water they drink, as dehydration can exacerbate symptoms. It also can compromise brain functioning and hamper serotonin production. Keep taking your medication : Even though some psychiatric drugs can impact a person's ability to regulate body temperature, it's essential to keep taking your medication as prescribed. If you want to discontinue a prescription, you must speak with your doctor to establish a plan. : Even though some psychiatric drugs can impact a person's ability to regulate body temperature, it's essential to keep taking your medication as prescribed. If you want to discontinue a prescription, you must speak with your doctor to establish a plan. Take a cool shower or bath: Bathing in cool water can help you manage the heat. It's imperative if you don't have an air conditioner. Bathing in cool water can help you manage the heat. It's imperative if you don't have an air conditioner. Identify triggers: For those living with SAD or summertime blues, it's important to identify your triggers to establish coping mechanisms. Recognize the patterns you have and plan accordingly. FGHeat and mental health is everyone's problem Your mental wellness is more intertwined with the temperature outside than you may have expected. The relationship is two-fold. First, being in the heat can leave you feeling stressed and compromise your ability to regulate your mood. Second, having mental health conditions -- especially if you take medication for them -- can increase your risk for heat-related illnesses if you don't have resources and support. Those with mental health conditions like schizophrenia are overrepresented in at-risk and homeless populations. Change is a shared responsibility that we all should take seriously. To do your part, consider checking in on your neighbors and family members with mental health conditions to make sure they have access to water and fans and to reduce their social isolation. If your city has cooling centers, spread the word. Community support can be the key to making heat less dangerous to mental health.
CBS News
8 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
One more comfortable day expected across Maryland
A stretch of beautiful weather will slowly give way to rising heat and humidity this week, setting the stage for potentially stormy conditions by the weekend. After a pleasant Tuesday evening with temperatures in the 80s falling into the 70s under clear skies and low humidity, conditions will remain comfortable overnight. Lows will dip into the 60s to near 70, with clear skies and continued dry air. Wednesday will be sunny with slightly higher humidity, as highs climb into the upper 80s. More moisture will build in Wednesday night, with overnight lows holding near 70 degrees. By Thursday, summer heat makes a full return. Expect plenty of sunshine, higher humidity, and highs around 90 degrees. The heat intensifies Friday, with afternoon temperatures in the low 90s and heat index values exceeding 100. Friday has been designated a First Alert Weather Day due to the oppressive heat and humidity. An isolated or widely scattered late-day storm is also possible. Heading into the weekend, a shift in the upper-level weather pattern could bring more active conditions. As a ridge of high pressure retreats westward, the Mid-Atlantic will find itself under a northwest flow aloft. This setup allows upper-level disturbances to interact with hot and humid surface conditions, triggering showers and thunderstorms each day. Saturday and Sunday could both warrant Alert Day status, with the potential for strong storms and torrential downpours capable of producing flash flooding. Highs will remain near 90 both days, with overnight lows in the mid to upper 70s. Conditions are expected to dry out somewhat by Monday, offering a brief reprieve before another cold front brings renewed chances for storms by the middle of next week.
CBS News
12 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Afternoon showers return to South Florida mid-week
South Florida's hot and dry weather pattern is in for a change over the next few days as the rain returns and brings some relief from the heat. On Tuesday morning, temperatures hovered in the low 80s across the region. With the heating of the day, they will climb into the lower 90s for the afternoon. Despite "feels like" temperatures returning to the triple digits for the early afternoon, no heat advisories are in effect for South Florida. Heat index values, which take into account the temperature and the humidity, will range from the upper 90s to 103 degrees. The National Weather Service issues a heat advisory when the heat index is expected to reach 105 degrees, or higher, and last for at least two hours. The NEXT Weather team is tracking a 50-60% chance of scattered showers and storms in the afternoon on Tuesday, favoring Broward and Miami-Dade counties, as moisture moves in from the east. The chance of rain will drop after sunset. On Wednesday and Thursday, there is a 50% chance for scattered showers and storms. By Friday, Saharan dust and drier air will move in. This will lower the chance of rain for the weekend and bring back hotter conditions with afternoon highs in the lower to mid-90s.
CBS News
12 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Summer beauty across Maryland Tuesday, dangerous heat to return
Some of summer's nicest weather will greet us across the state of Maryland today. The weather is a perfect prescription for comfort including comfortably warm temperatures, low humidity, and plenty of sunshine. Humidity will begin to build Wednesday, but the heat will still be manageable, so we will enjoy another very good outdoor weather day. The next round of heat and humidity begins to grow tough Thursday and turns potentially dangerous Friday through the weekend if heat preparations for the body aren't taken. A strengthening ridge of high pressure will bring a return of very hot and muggy conditions to not only Maryland, but most of the Mid-Atlantic. High temperatures Friday afternoon will soar into the mid to upper 90s, and the heat index will likely surpass 100 degrees. The WJZ First Alert Weather Team has declared Friday a First Alert Weather Day for potentially dangerous heat and humidity. Please add in plenty of water, breaks inside the A/C, and limiting time outdoors during the hottest part of the day. The intense heat and extremely high humidity levels will continue into the weekend. Despite high temperatures a few degrees cooler than Friday, the air will feel even hotter with the incredibly high humidity levels. Highs Saturday afternoon will top out in the middle 90s with feels like temperatures 100° to 108°. Sunday will be another sweltering hot and humid day with highs near 90° and feels like temperatures will top out near 100° to 105°. A weak front may stall across our area or just south of us on Monday. Depending on the location of the boundary, more hot and muggy weather can be expected with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s and feels like temperatures will into the 90s. Highs this weekend will remain in the low 90s with tropical humidity, pushing heat index values near or above 100. Overnight lows will struggle to fall below the 70s. Any storms that develop will be capable of producing significant rainfall totals over a short period of time, raising concerns for localized flooding. The combination of intense heat and humidity will be fuel for scattered to numerous thunderstorms Saturday and Sunday, especially during the afternoon and evening hours. A weak cold front to our north will slowly ease south over the weekend triggering clusters of strong to severe storms. The strongest storms will have numerous and dangerous cloud to ground lightning strikes, blinding downpours, damaging winds, and hail. The WJZ First Alert Weather Team has tagged Saturday and Sunday as Alert Days for this combination of brutal heat and humidity along with the possibility of powerful storms. Saturday the storms should be focused mid to late afternoon through the evening hours. Sunday the storms may develop a bit earlier in the day and continue into the mid-evening hours. While this weekend won't be a washout, please keep an eye to the sky and if you hear thunder roar, go indoors. There have been large numbers of people struck by lightning this summer while enjoying time outside. Stay with the WJZ First Alert Weather Team for more updates on the timeline and intensity of this weekend's heat and storms.
CBS News
14 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Hot, humid Tuesday in Twin Cities as storms pelt up north
Heat and humidity return to Minnesota on Tuesday, and parts of the state are in for scattered thunderstorms. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for central, south-central and southwestern Minnesota. That's set to take effect at 1 p.m. and run through 8 p.m. The NWS said heat index values could be around 100. Tuesday's storms will mainly affect northern Minnesota, with a flood watch in place for parts of the area starting at 7 p.m. The heat and humidity will continue on Wednesday, and more thunderstorms are possible late in the day. Storms are likely on Thursday, as well, with some potentially turning strong. Friday turns cooler and drier, with highs in the low 80s and a breeze at times. We'll warm up again on Saturday, with highs reaching the upper 80s. Spotty evening storms are possible.
