Stress in the Heat: Why We Snap and How Not to Go Crazy in the Heatwave Have you ever noticed how people become more irritable on hot days? Drivers honk for no reason, salespeople respond sharply, and colleagues in the office are ready to explode over the slightest thing. This is no coincidence. Heat is a powerful stressor that hits our nervous system harder than many of us are willing to admit. We are used to attributing bad moods to "character" or "weather," but in fact, there are complex physiological processes behind this that turn the heat into a real challenge for our psyche. Let's understand how heat causes stress, why some people cope with it better than others, and what we can do to maintain self-control on the hottest days of the year. Physiology of Stress in the Heat: What Happens to the Body Our body is a perfect system of thermoregulation. Under ideal conditions, it maintains the body temperature around 36.6 degrees. When the surrounding environment heats up, the body activates cooling mechanisms: dilates blood vessels, increases sweating, and increases breathing rate. But these processes require energy and resources. The heart starts to beat faster to pump more blood to the surface of the skin. The brain receives signals of overheating and activates the stress response system. The main player in this process is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which releases cortisol — the stress hormone. Cortisol helps mobilize energy, but its level can remain elevated for longer than usual in the heat. As a result, we feel not just tired, but "on edge." Moreover, heat disrupts the balance of neurotransmitters: serotonin and dopamine, which are responsible for mood and motivation. Their decline leads to apathy, anxiety, and even depression. Dehydration exacerbates the situation. Even a loss of 1-2% of body fluids reduces cognitive abilities, worsens concentration, and increases anxiety levels. The brain, which consists of 75% water, works slower and less ... Read more