As the heat wave spreads all over France, here is how the heat affects our mental health.
If the attendance of psychiatric emergencies increases during a heat wave episode, it is because the heat has an effect on mental health.
Feeling anxious, irritable, anxious or even sad during an episode of high heat has a completely natural explanation: the body feels in danger and triggers warning signals. Blame it on cortisol, the stress hormone.
Heat increases stress hormone secretion
Naturally, in case of high heat, the body needs to lower its temperature, which is why it increases its heart rate so that the blood circulates in particular towards the skin. The resulting increase in blood pressure in turn triggers an increase in the stress hormone cortisol.
When you are already affected by anxiety outside of heat waves, this increase in cortisol will quickly translate into a feeling of panic, irritability, or even aggressiveness. As sleep is also often affected, fatigue and exhaustion contribute to stress and trigger true depression in some people.
What to do to protect your mental health during the heat wave?
Slowing down your usual activities, avoiding going out during the hottest hours, equipping yourself to cool your home, and above all hydrating yourself well with water will help the body better regulate its temperature and limit bodily signals of stress.
The heat wave is also a good time to try relaxation activities such as meditation, sophrology, yoga or even a nap to limit the increase in cortisol and slow down the pace.
Find out more: “Heat wave and winter cold: How to protect yourself?” by Francois Bourdillon.
