How Heat Can Make Us Feel More Irritable

As summer temperatures rise, many people notice more than just physical discomfort. Hot days can also bring shorter tempers, lower patience, and an overall sense of irritability. While it may be easy to dismiss this as simply feeling “too hot,” there are real physical and emotional reasons heat can affect our mood.

“Heat is a stressor on the body,” said Dr. Karl Shanstrom, a medical director at Centerstone Medical Group. “When someone is overheated, dehydrated or not sleeping well because of high temperatures, their ability to manage frustration can decrease. That can show up as irritability or feeling overwhelmed more quickly than usual.”

How does heat affect mental and emotional wellbeing?

Shastrom explains that when overheated, the body is spending massive amounts of energy on staying cool. This energy spend decreases the amount of sugar, energy, and oxygen available for higher cognitive functions, which can cause someone to see a shift in behavior. Both extreme hot and cold temperatures have this effect on the body.

“Most people think about heat as a physical health issue, and it is,” Shanstrom said. “But it is also important to recognize how closely physical wellbeing and mental wellbeing are connected. When your body is uncomfortable or under strain, your emotional resilience can also be affected.”

Extreme heat can also impact mood by interrupting daily routines. People may experience poor sleep, spend less time outdoors, or feel more physically drained. Routine change and spending extra energy staying cool can make it harder to use the coping skills that normally help regulate mood.

For individuals already managing stress, anxiety, depression, substance use concerns or other mental health challenges, heat may intensify existing symptoms. In 2024, Mayo Clinic reported a study of over 2 million people shows that high temperatures cause a big rise in psychiatric visits.

How to beat the heat and help keep your mood balanced

There are simple steps people can take to protect both their physical and emotional health during periods of extreme heat.

• Staying hydrated by drinking water or electrolyte drinks.
• Taking breaks in cool spaces
• Limit amount of strenuous outdoor activity
• Use cold cloths on your neck or wrists

If your home does not have air conditioning, cool your home by blocking the sun, closing your blinds and curtains during the day and opening your windows at night to let in cooler air. You can also create air conditioning by placing ice behind a fan to cool the air distributed.

It is important to pay attention to physical warning signs such as confusion, dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, weakness, or sudden change in mood or behavior. These symptoms are all possible signs of heat exhaustion.

If you notice yourself becoming unusually irritable during hot weather, it may help to pause before reacting. Step into a cooler space, drink water, take a few slow breaths, and give yourself permission to slow down. Small changes can help the body reset and make it easier to respond rather than react.

“Being irritable in the heat does not mean something is wrong with you,” Shanstrom said. “It may be your body’s way of signaling that it needs care. The key is to listen early, take steps to cool down and reach out for support when needed.”

If you want extra support to listen to your body, Centerstone can help you feel more connected to yourself. For more information about our counseling and medical services, call us at 877-HOPE123 (877-467-3123) or visit our website.

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