The human body functions as a perfect thermostat, but to maintain its internal temperature within normal limits, especially on hot days, we pay a price-and not only physically, but also psychologically.
The heatwalk that makes ravaging throughout Europe deeply affects our mental health Photo truth
Although summer is often synonymous with holidays and relaxation, reality is, in many cases, different. For most of us, “Pamper” It is reduced to the refuge in front of the air conditioner or the fan, either at home or at work. And the hot summer heat seems, for many, harder to bear than the cold of winter.
In addition, as warns the well -known public health specialist in Spain, Marián García (known online as Bicicaria García), the clove waves affect more than thermal comfort – they also influence the emotional and mental balance.
In this article you will discover how your body responds to extreme temperatures, what physiological mechanisms activate to protect you and what are the hidden effects of heat on mental health. We will also offer you practical advice and medical recommendations, tips and precautions, to keep you safe during the summer and to prevent the negative consequences of your body and mind.
How the body responds to extreme heat: the mechanisms that affect our mind and body
“Increasing the internal temperature of the body can seriously affect the brain and heart. To prevent such situations, the body activates its own cooling system – but this process comes with a price: physiological and psychological stress”explains the García Boticaria on his social account (See video).
Specifically, the body sets in motion two key mechanisms to cool down:
- Vasodilation – dilation of blood vessels, which allows the elimination of heat through the skin;
- Intense sweating, which helps to evaporate heat, but leads to loss of liquids and essential salts.
Both reactions require the body and can contribute to the onset of mental fatigue, irritability, lack of concentration and anxiety.
“It’s not just an impression that you feel more exhausted, more apathetic or confused in the hot days. In the back there is a real, biological mechanism ”emphasizes Bicicaria García.
The heat: a silent stressor
As we rush to protect ourselves from UV rays and insolation, we forget that our minds suffer with the body. Excessive heat can amplify the symptoms of depression, aggravate sleep disorders and reduce intellectual performance.
Therefore summer is not “holidays” For everyone. The body – even on vacation – works hard to protect you.
This mechanism is activated by the two previously mentioned processes, which do their job properly, but also trigger stress in the body:
- The first involves dilating the blood vessels to carry more warm blood to the skin and thus release the heat. To support this process, the heart begins to pump faster and stronger, which leads to loss of electrolytes and water – and this can cause dehydration.
- The second mechanism, which often works in tandem with the first, consists of perspiration – the body “steal” The heat by evaporating the perspiration, explains the Boticaria García.
Hidden effects of heat on mental health
This kind of internal thermostat is driven by the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that regulates not only body temperature, but also heart rate, hunger, moods, libido, sleep, thirst and release of certain hormones.
And here we come to the essence of the problem: one of these chemical messengers released to cool the body is cortisol, popularly known as “Stress hormone”.
What does all this mean to a person? The potential impairment of all the aforementioned functions and, in the long term, the risk of exhaustion, dehydration or even insolation.
As far as possible, given the alert rhythm of daily life, it avoids prolonged exposure to the suffocating heat of these hot days, which will continue until the end of September.
Prevention in front of the heat: Essential tips to protect your health
During this time of the year, warnings about the negative effects of heat on health frequently appear in the press. One of the most important messages is prevention. According to the Mayo clinic, here are the best recommendations to avoid the insulation or thermal collapse:
- She wears light and wide clothes. Specialists recommend light, natural materials, such as flax or cotton, which allow the body to cool properly.
- Protect yourself from burns. In addition to discomfort, sunburn also affects the body’s ability to regulate its temperature. Apply cream with protection factor repeatedly throughout the day, wear hats and sunglasses.
- Mydrate yourself constantly. Water is the best ally, but natural juices can help. Hydration facilitates sweating, vital process for body cooling.
- Attention to medicines! Read the prospects and consult with your doctor, especially now, because some treatments can affect how the body manages water and temperature under heat conditions.
- Avoid effort in peak hours of the day. We know that it is easier to say than to do, especially when the work does not allow us, but try to protect yourself as much as you can between 11: 00-16: 00, when the sun is the strongest.
