The impact of heat stress on our physical and mental health

Discomfort and exhaustion

Discomfort and exhaustion, Mental aggravation, Hospitalizations, The susceptible demographic, Soaring night temperatures, Extreme phenomena, Poor sleeping patterns, Anger and fatigue, Inflammatory effect

The physical impact of heat is well known. It ranges from discomfort to exhaustion, rashes and lethargy. Less widely known are the effects that extreme heat, such as we experience during heat waves, has on the brain.

Mental aggravation

Discomfort and exhaustion, Mental aggravation, Hospitalizations, The susceptible demographic, Soaring night temperatures, Extreme phenomena, Poor sleeping patterns, Anger and fatigue, Inflammatory effect

Several studies suggest that mental health problems surface or are aggravated when we are hit by high temperatures. This leads to more violent crimes, assaults, and even suicides, according to Infobae.

Photo: Unsplash/Malachi Cowie

Hospitalizations

Discomfort and exhaustion, Mental aggravation, Hospitalizations, The susceptible demographic, Soaring night temperatures, Extreme phenomena, Poor sleeping patterns, Anger and fatigue, Inflammatory effect

One study found that visits to emergencies and hospitalizations for mental health issues rise, particularly among people with schizophrenia, dementia, psychosis, and substance dependence, who are especially vulnerable to extreme heat.

Photo: Unsplash/Olga Kononenko98

The susceptible demographic

Discomfort and exhaustion, Mental aggravation, Hospitalizations, The susceptible demographic, Soaring night temperatures, Extreme phenomena, Poor sleeping patterns, Anger and fatigue, Inflammatory effect

For every degree hike on the thermometer, there is an almost 5% increase in the risk of death among these vulnerable individuals and an up to 6% increase in violent crime, such as homicides, according to scientists in Infobae.

Photo: Unsplash/Towfiqu Barbhuiya

Soaring night temperatures

Discomfort and exhaustion, Mental aggravation, Hospitalizations, The susceptible demographic, Soaring night temperatures, Extreme phenomena, Poor sleeping patterns, Anger and fatigue, Inflammatory effect

Rising night temperatures are divided into categories: tropical nights that exceed 20°C; and torrid nights that exceed 25°C, according to El Periódico.

Photo: Unsplash/Greg Pappas

Extreme phenomena

Discomfort and exhaustion, Mental aggravation, Hospitalizations, The susceptible demographic, Soaring night temperatures, Extreme phenomena, Poor sleeping patterns, Anger and fatigue, Inflammatory effect

Hellish nights are the most extreme. They occur when temperatures exceed 30°C. Previously common only in parts of the global south, they are now occurring in Spain, especially in areas such as Almería, Málaga, Melilla, Jaén, and the Canary Islands.

Photo: Unsplash/Jason Anderson

Poor sleeping patterns

Discomfort and exhaustion, Mental aggravation, Hospitalizations, The susceptible demographic, Soaring night temperatures, Extreme phenomena, Poor sleeping patterns, Anger and fatigue, Inflammatory effect

"Hot nights significantly affect sleep. And we know, thanks to a vast body of research in psychology and psychiatry, that lack of sleep and insomnia are closely linked to worse mental health conditions over time," an expert told Infobae.

Photo: Unsplash/Vladislay Muslakov

Anger and fatigue

Discomfort and exhaustion, Mental aggravation, Hospitalizations, The susceptible demographic, Soaring night temperatures, Extreme phenomena, Poor sleeping patterns, Anger and fatigue, Inflammatory effect

Research conducted in the United States on nearly two million people reveals that heat, especially above 32°C, reduces happiness and increases stress, anger, and fatigue. Optimum well-being levels are reached at temperatures around 15°C.

Photo: Unsplash/Yogendra Singh

Inflammatory effect

Discomfort and exhaustion, Mental aggravation, Hospitalizations, The susceptible demographic, Soaring night temperatures, Extreme phenomena, Poor sleeping patterns, Anger and fatigue, Inflammatory effect

The effort the body must make to stay cool during intense heat reduces our resilience to discomfort. During a heat wave, the body is under more pressure, which increases stress and inflammation.

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