Heat & Mental Health

By SHS Staff Therapist

Published July 19, 2024

Summer is definitely here! June has already been hot, and July and August will only be hotter. It can be great to have fun in the sun, but it’s very important to keep in mind that heat affects the body and mind.  In a recent article in the June edition of the Monitor on Psychology*, we’re reminded that heat not only can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, but it can also negatively affect symptoms related to mental health issues.  This includes substance use disorders, anxiety and stress-related disorders, mood disorders, self-harm, and childhood behavioral disorders.  Furthermore, we’re reminded that almost all psychotropic medications can impair a body’s ability to handle heat.  So, it’s especially important for those taking psychotropic medications or who experience certain mental health issues to take appropriate measures to regulate their body temperatures.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the following recommendations to help stay cooler in the summer: stay hydrated; stay in air-conditioned places as much as possible (when temperatures are in the high 90’s, electric fans do not prevent heat-related illnesses); wear lightweight, loose fitting clothes; and limit your outdoor activities to cooler times of the day such as mornings and evenings (if you are active in the outdoors, take time to rest in shady spots and, again, stay hydrated!)**  Have fun this summer while taking good care of your physical and mental health!

*Pappas, S. (2024). How heat affects the mind. Monitor on Psychology, 55(4), 42–49.

**CDC. (2024, February 19). Preventing Heat-Related Illness. https://www.cdc.gov/extreme-heat/prevention/index.html

Artwork by Becca Zimmerman