Kerala is blessed to have many summer showers this year. However, heat waves grip the state despite that, especially in central districts. The scorching summer heat comes with a handful of health problems that could damage you physically and mentally. Excessive sweating, heat rashes, and sunburns are some of the physical difficulties faced during summer. According to experts, severe summer heat can have a negative impact even on mental health and cause anxiety, stress, and emotional challenges. Here are the various ways heat can affect your mood and the tips and solutions to handle it. 

Slow thinking
'Too warm to be wise' is not a line without depth. Excessive heat could slow down blood flow to complex spots in the brain, like the prefrontal cortex, which controls your ability to concentrate, make decisions, and manage short-term memories. When blood flow to this area is reduced, it could slow down your thinking faculties. You may struggle to concentrate and even experience memory loss.

Mood swings and anger issues
Hot weather and hot temper, of course, go hand in hand. Temperaments are likely to flare when the mercury soars high. The stress caused by extreme heat increases cortisol production, a hormone that influences the body’s fight-or-flight response. Besides, it lowers serotonin levels, which play a crucial role in mood regulation. An imbalance in these hormones could lead to anxiety, anger issues, and a lack of happiness.

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Lack of sleep
Many of us can only toss, turn, and get 'toasted' if it's too hot in the room we sleep in. However, good sleep is essential for emotional well-being. Soaring temperatures and sweating might interrupt your sleep at night. The high temperature, interfering with the body’s cooling ability, could suppress melatonin production. Lack of sleep could then lead to many other health problems.

Depression 
When heat is high, mood can only be low. The summer season is quite challenging for those who suffer from mental health problems like depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The heat will hamper the absorption of medicines and topple the body’s metabolism. It would only worsen their anxiety and other mental health problems. This, along with a lack of sleep, could make things worse.

Brain fog
Even mild dehydration could severely affect your perception and ability to think. Loss of water and electrolytes from the body could negatively impact the neurological systems in the brain, causing brain fog and confusion. So, make sure to keep your body hydrated by drinking enough water in the summer.

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Violent behaviour
Human beings are likely to exhibit violent behaviour during the summer season. The rising temperature is probably why you see squabbles on the road or fights in offices or at home. The drop in serotonin levels and the production of amygdala have been pointed out as the reasons for this.

Social alienation
Most people prefer staying indoors when the temperatures rise outside. This leads to social alienation, loneliness and ennui. Those who are mentally and emotionally weak might be triggered by this situation to fall into depression.

Tips to enhance mental health
1) Drink water regularly, even if you are not thirsty.
2) Try to stay indoors from 12 pm to 4 pm
3) Ceiling fans, air conditioners or wet towels could cool down your body
4) Those who are taking medicines for mental health issues shouldn’t stop medication
5) Make sure to get a good night’s sleep
6) Try to maintain a healthy and active social life directly or via social media and phone calls.   

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