Summer’s scorching temperatures can sometimes take a toll on our mood and energy levels. However, with a few simple strategies, you can stay cool and uplifted even during the hottest days. Here are some effective ways to beat the heat and boost your mood.
1. Stay Hydrated – One of the most important steps to staying cool and feeling good during the summer is to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water helps regulate your body temperature and keeps you energized. Aim for at least eight glasses a day, and consider incorporating hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumber, and oranges into your diet.
2. Enjoy Water Activities – Spending time in or near water can provide instant relief from the heat and significantly improve your mood. Swimming, kayaking, or even having a splash fight in your backyard can be refreshing and fun. According to Harvard Health Publishing (2018), water activities not only cool you down but also offer a great way to exercise and release endorphins, the body’s natural mood lifters.
3. Dress Lightly – Wearing light, breathable clothing made from natural fibres like cotton and linen can help keep your body cool. Light-coloured clothes reflect rather than absorb sunlight, making them a better choice for hot days. Choose for loose-fitting outfits to allow air circulation, which aids in cooling your body down.
4. Create a Cool Home Environment – Keeping your living space cool is essential during summer. Use fans or air conditioning to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors. Close blinds or curtains during the hottest part of the day to block out the sun. Using light-coloured shades or reflective window film can also reduce heat absorption. Additionally, houseplants can help cool the air and add a touch of greenery to your space, enhancing your mood.
5. Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation – Heat can sometimes make you feel irritable and stressed. Practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep-breathing exercises can help you stay calm and improve your mood. These activities can be done indoors, keeping you cool while providing mental health benefits (Mayo Clinic, 2019).
While summer heat can be challenging, it also offers numerous opportunities to improve your mood and well-being. By staying hydrated, enjoying water activities, dressing appropriately, keeping your home cool, eating light meals, practising mindfulness, and planning fun indoor activities, you can beat the heat and make the most of the sunny season.
Mandy Brincat is a Gestalt psychotherapist who enjoys working therapeutically with adults on various issues, such as general mental health and wellbeing. She also has experience working with children with anxiety and day to day stressful problems, and on relational issues with couples.
If you think that you can benefit from professional support on this issue you can reach out here.
References:
- Burch, K. (2017, July 26). 8 Tricks To Beat The Heat And Boost Your Energy In 5 Minutes Or Less. Prevention. https://www.prevention.com/health/a20480309/beat-the-heat-and-boost-energy/
- Harvard Health Publishing. “Exercising Safely in Hot Weather.” Harvard Medical School, 2018.
- Mayo Clinic. “Meditation: A Simple, Fast Way to Reduce Stress.” Mayo Clinic, 2019.