How to Handle Anxiety in the Summer Heat
Anxiety in the summer heat affects some people just as others might feel more anxious during the winter months. From my experience with anxiety, I have learned the importance of using mindfulness for anxiety and establishing healthy boundaries, and I use those skills to handle anxiety in the summer, too. To learn about my struggles with anxiety in heat and how I cope, read this article.
Why I Feel Anxiety in the Summer
Summer used to be my favorite season but summer anxiety has changed my mind. Back then, no matter how hot it was, I always enjoyed outdoor activities. But when I was 16, I had my first grand mal (or tonic-clonic) seizure while running on a hot and humid morning. During this seizure, I fell to the ground and started shaking with my eyes rolling into the back of my head. This was one out of five seizures that I can remember. All of them happened in the summer.
Luckily, my neurologist prescribed an epilepsy medication that has kept me seizure-free for more than eight years. Even though the medication works, I have times when I worry about having another seizure. However, I have dealt with this fear by finding ways to stay healthy and safe in the heat.
There Are Several Ways to Avoid Anxiety in Summer
If you struggle with anxiety in the heat, here are a few things you can try:
- Take a walk during the coolest parts of the day.
- Set a time limit for heat exposure.
- Ice your head to cool down.
- Drink water or sports drinks that provide electrolytes.
- Avoid hot beverages.
- Eat ice cream or fruit.
- Sit in the shade and read.
- Go for a swim.
- Take a cool shower.
- Wear thin clothes.
- Watch a movie in air conditioning.
- Plan a vacation where there will be indoor entertainment.
When people ask you if you want to do something fun outside, it can be really hard to say no. But listening to your body is very important. You should not feel guilty for looking after yourself.
Personally, I would love to attend an outdoor concert. But in 90-degree weather, I just cannot do it. Although I still enjoy being outside and fear seizures less, I have limits. I have to be smart and take care of myself because I do have extreme anxiety in the summer heat. A concert is not worth my health.
If summer makes your anxiety worse, what are your triggers? If you can identify the causes of your anxiety, you will be better able to stay safe and enjoy the weather instead of dreading it.
APA Reference
Lueck, M.
(2018, June 3). How to Handle Anxiety in the Summer Heat, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, December 25 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/toughtimes/2018/6/how-to-handle-anxiety-in-the-summer-heat
Author: Martha Lueck
This was very helpful as I will be in a hotter environment then I am accustomed. I will wear a wet scarf and a large hat. It is scary when the temperature goes high. Thank you for your list.
I loved your tip to sit in the shade and read, as I've heard that being outdoors helps improve mental health. I also feel like reading in and of itself can be helpful, as it's a way to escape from the stress in your life. My friend has been having a terrible summer and is so anxious, so hopefully this article will help her out.
Your eleven recommendations are of useful help to handle anxiety in the summer heat. Each over-exposure to outdoor weather turmoil might damage our emotional welfare, causing a broad specter of anxiety disorders. So it is advisable to avoid extreme weather alterations such as hot parts of days, which might cause dangerous emotional and somatic disorders. On the other hand, summer season brings with it numerous unpredictable and/or dangerous events and circumstances that might be avoided, as much as possible. In this direction, we must take into account the forecast before going anywhere outdoors for long periods of time. Preliminary knowledge on the place we intend to walk are of great importance for enjoyable and kind promenade.