We all need to chill!
Here in Ontario, we are smack dab in the middle of a heat wave. Summer doesn’t officially arrive until June 20, but Mother Nature has jumped the gun.
This is the first official heat warning from Environment Canada for 2024. Why do I feel it won’t be the last?
As someone who does not care for hot, humid weather, the warnings send me into a bit of a frenzy.
I hunker down. The air conditioner is set to “Arctic.” Rotating fans are engaged. All windows are fully shaded and draped as I sit inside like a vampire who must not be exposed to any light.
If there must be outings, they will be done in the morning before the sun sets things ablaze. To be honest, it feels safer indoors.
People get cranky when the temperature rises. Have you noticed?
I don’t blame anyone who has to work outdoors in this weather for having a short fuse. Totally understandable. They get a break.
But drivers? Not so much. I have no scientific data, but when the heat is on, drivers tend to drive faster using more gestures and louder voices. Horns get a bigger workout. Lots of road rage.
There is, however, actual data about how the heat impacts our bodies and our mental state. In the next few days, if you feel like you are in a bit of a brain fog, feel free to blame that on the heat wave, too. It definitely saps your strength.
There is evidence that heat impacts our cognition. Part of it may have to do with the fact that if we are too warm at night our sleep will suffer. If we don’t get a solid sleep, it can impair our alertness and slow our reaction times.
Caleb Dresser, an emergency medicine physician who also serves as the director of health-care solutions at the Harvard Chan Center for Climate, Health and Global Environment says: “There's also research to suggest that heat can make you moodier or irritated, in part perhaps by raising cortisol levels and inducing a stress response. I see more emergency room visits for mental health emergencies during extreme heat waves.”
Dresser goes on to say: "As we learn to live in a warming world where the summers are getting hotter, we need to be extra alert to recognize when conditions are dangerous and take steps to stay safe.”
In general, we know the things that can offer relief. Stay hydrated (even if you don’t feel thirsty), avoid alcohol, eat lighter meals, wear light-coloured clothing that breathes, spend time in air conditioning (if possible), and cool off in a swimming pool or a shower.
Personally, I hate sweating, but apparently sweating is our friend. That’s the body’s way of cooling our core. If you are with someone who has stopped sweating, it could be a symptom of heat stroke. Don’t mess around, call 911.
I know as the week goes on I will see people out there in the blazing sun jogging and I will shake my head in disbelief. Take an exercise break.
We will also hear stories of (God forbid) children and/or dogs left in locked cars. For either situation, you can call 911 and in Ontario for pets dial 1-833-9ANIMAL.
The forecast suggests just a few days of extreme heat and then a bit of a break again.
Let’s all do our part to remain calm, check on friends and family, slow down and chill out.
