Wondering why you’re snapping at your family, dragging through the workday or exhausted even after a full night's sleep? Arizona's extreme summer heat could be playing a bigger role than you realize.
Here’s what's really happening inside your body and how to keep your cool.
Why summer gets your blood boiling
High temperatures don’t just cause heat illness. Research also links intense heat with increased mental health challenges. "Many people don't realize how much extreme heat affects their mood and energy levels," says Kara Combs, MD, a family medicine physician at HonorHealth Medical Group - Heuser - Primary Care. “It can increase anxiety and depression — and raise your stress hormone levels, too."
That’s why it’s crucial to prioritize emotional wellness in the summer. If you notice your patience running thin or your mood shifting, try turning on a fan or placing a cold pack on your neck. Dr. Combs also recommends:
- Wearing loose-fitting clothing
- Increasing your water intake throughout the day
- Taking cool showers
- Seeking out cooler green spaces, libraries or shopping centers
The real reason you’re tossing and turning
Getting a good night’s sleep isn’t as simple as tucking into a cozy bed. Your body relies on another key biological cue: a drop in core temperature. Hot summer nights make that harder than usual.
"When your temperature doesn’t cool down as rapidly, it takes you longer to fall asleep," Dr. Combs explains.
Even when you do fall asleep, it’s not always productive. She adds that "heat disrupts the way you sleep, making you sleep fewer hours and reducing deep sleep.”
The result is lighter, less restorative sleep, which can cause you to feel grumpy or restless throughout the day. These disruptions can be especially tough for older adults, women and people with chronic conditions.
The best thing you can do? "Maintain a consistent sleep schedule," Dr. Combs advises. She also recommends limiting heavy meals, alcohol and caffeine in the evening, since all three can increase body temperature and interfere with your body's ability to cool itself.
If you've tried adjusting your routine and you're still feeling exhausted, it may be worth talking with your primary care provider.
Keep your cool this summer
Arizona’s scorching summer heat doesn't just affect how comfortable you feel. It affects how you sleep, think and interact with the people around you.
So, if you're nodding off at your desk or snapping at the kids more than usual this summer, don't just power through it. Your body may be responding to the stress of extreme heat.
Small changes can help, but if symptoms persist, HonorHealth Primary Care can help you uncover what's behind them and create a plan to get you back to feeling your best.