by The heat wave in India already has everyone worried. While the summer season brings us an opportunity to wear bright and floral outfits, sip refreshing drinks, and gorge ourselves on delicious fruits like mangoes, it’s also about surviving heat, sweat, and infections. There are multiple side effects of the heat wave, but it turns out that even your mood is affected by the heat. Anger is an emotion that can be charged during the summer. An expert shares what the connection between heat and anger is.
To explore the link between anger and a rise in temperature, Health Shots contacted Dr. Rishi Gautam, a US-based mental health expert and specialist in psychiatry.
Heat wave side effects and mood swings
A study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry found that days with high temperatures during the summer months in the US were associated with higher rates of emergency department visits for mental health-related conditions, including mental health disorders. of spirit. Dr. Gautam says excessively high temperatures have been shown to alter basic moods, causing people to become more irritable, confrontational, angry, and even depressed at times. While what causes this is not clearly understood, it is theorized that changes in body temperature, dehydration, lack of sleep, increased inflammation, and excessive exposure to bright sunlight may affect brain function.
How to handle anger during a heat wave
There are a few things you can do to help yourself and calm your nerves in the heat wave.
1. Look for changes in your mood or see if you feel angrier than usual
You may not always listen to what your family has to say about your state of mind or your life in general. But pay attention to your family or friends if they report changes in your mood. Then channel this angry energy into other, more productive domains, says the expert. Instead of throwing things or yelling at people, you can exercise or participate in a sport (preferably indoors) or art.
2. Understand the limitations of what is under your control and accept it
We don’t have much control over weather patterns, so getting too frustrated by them doesn’t help you get better. The weather is not under our control and you have to accept it.
3. Identify your triggers
Is driving to work in the afternoon sun something you absolutely hate? Or is standing in a line while it’s 40 degrees Celsius something that annoys you? You just have to figure out what makes you so angry. You may need to make changes to your daily schedule and finish these tasks in the morning or at night.
4. Hydration
Sometimes you may forget to drink water due to your busy schedule, but stay hydrated. Use measured water bottles that show how much water you have consumed during the day. Make it a point to meet your requirements. On average, women need about 2.7 liters of water. You can also opt for refreshing drinks this summer.
5. Deep breathing and meditation
Just spend 15 minutes meditating and analyzing your thoughts every morning. It helps a lot to control sudden mood swings and anger, Dr. Gautam. Try to make this a part of your daily routine. It is a healthy habit after all.
Follow these tips and stay calm this summer for better mental health. After all, the Hulk only looks good on the big screen.
