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Anxiety in hot weather

Okay, this is probably not the kind of thing you are looking for, but I get really anxious when the weather is hot. So, during the summer months (I live in Texas), I am literally a wreck all the time. Is there anything I can do about this? Is this a real anxiety thing?

This is exactly the kind of thing we are looking for—and yes, heat and anxiety is a very real thing. We hear about it all the time, often from women who are going through hormonal changes and experiencing hot flashes.

And here’s why: anxiety triggers a “fight or flight” response, meaning your body prepares to high tail it out of there (remember that our ancestors didn’t want to be eaten by sabre tooth tigers). The body responds by increasing blood flow and heart rate as well as perspiration—things that happen to us naturally in the heat. So, those with anxiety have a double whammy: internal and external heat.

What to do about it? Short of moving out of Texas, our best advice is try a little TLC.

  • Talk to yourself: explain that you are feeling extra uncomfortable because heat does trigger anxiety.
  • Loosen your clothes (heavy materials and tight clothes generate heat).
  • Cool down: carry a cooler with water for plenty of hydration (a glass of cold water reverses the body’s heating mechanisms), and don’t do anything to increase your body temperature outside (such as exercise or start an argument).

You can find more about TLC in the Resources section on our website.

Comments

  • Shawn
    June 22, 2022

    I love to be outside, but the heat kills me ,I find loose light clothes help and talking about it yes,but also trying to stay in if I can…I Live in southern Indiana, hot humid and uncomfortable 🥴 my anxiety is in overdrive also because I have more visitors. 🙄 but you are not alone.

    reply
    • Sharon
      June 24, 2022

      I also live in Southern Indiana

      reply

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