MENTAL HEALTH COLUMN
Turn down the heat
If you don’t like the weather in Missouri, just…
W
ait! The weather in Missouri customarily rapidly shifts. Why has it been so insufferably hot for days and days? The meteorologists are telling us we are trapped under a giant heat-dome. Let me out! Other than my number three child, I know few who are enjoying this pervasive heat. After she exclaimed how great the weather is, I explained to child number three that most people are negatively impacted by high temperatures and prolonged heat. She says she feels “15 times happier” when it is this warm. Of course, she is the child that carries a blanket with her at all times to movie theatres and college lecture halls even on 80-degree days. She is not like Linus, the Peanuts comic strip character, who sucked his thumb and who needed the blanket for security. Instead, she anticipates
By Brad Ridenour
CEO of Clark Community Mental Health Center and a Licensed Professional Counselor
being cold everywhere she goes, and by carrying around her adult-sized blankie, she is always prepared to keep warm. My daughter is an anomaly. She blossoms in this intense heat, while most wilt. She is happy not to feel cold, while research shows that for many others prolonged heat waves actually increase feelings of frustration, stress, and even depression. A JAMA Psychiatry study collected data from two million visitors to ER departments over the course of 10 years, and the data showed that the number of ER visits for mental health concerns like schizophrenia, substance use, anxiety, and self-harm increased during periods of extreme heat. Those taking psychotropic medications need to be aware that
profuse sweating may affect how the medications are metabolized which may in turn impact effectiveness. Some medications may affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature putting these individuals at greater risk for heat related illnesses. In addition to increases in ER visits and psychiatric crises, we also know that the incidence of domestic violence and other crime increases during heat waves. If you are like my daughter enjoy soaking in this heat while you can, but if you’re like “normal” people do all you can to stay cool. I am just hoping for a 75-degree day with a slight breeze. Of course, that’s when kid number three will start wearing her parka.
The Clark Center
CC
Are you feeling the heat? Need to talk. We’re here to help. If in crisis call 1-800-801-4405 or 417-235-6610.
Resiliency • Community Recovery
CC
Tips to Beat the Heat Hydrate regularly. Proper hydration reduces fatigue
Make a cold compress. It will help you sleep better.
Eat lighter. Eating fruits and vegetables won’t overheat your digestive system.
Spice it up. Eating spicy foods can help you stay cooler on the outside.
Switch off the oven. Bake less and barbecue more. Change light bulbs. LED bulbs produce about 70% less heat than an incandescent bulb. Unplug your computer. Unplug your computer when not in use to prevent the device from generating heat.
Block the sun with curtains and shades. About 20% of summer heat enters your home through windows. Create a frozen fan. By aimming a house fan at a bowl of ice, the cool air will circulate & lower the room temperature. Get misty. Chill water in a spray bottle & give yourself a cool, refreshing spritz.
ConnectionMO.com | Connection Magazine | 31
