When the heat hits ...

For those who love the heat, this time of year can bring relaxation and joy.

For those who struggle with high temperatures and rising humidity, this time of year can become hard work to negotiate.

There are plenty of posts already in the online spaces we are familiar with about what to do and how to take care of yourself in the heat.

What I want to reflect on are some of the additional challenges that the heat can bring.

For those on medication, there can be issues with losing the full benefit of your medication or an influx of aggravated side effects. Please always check in with your GP if you find that your medication is not supporting you in the way you are used to on cooler days.

Then there are those for whom the heat means their temper is harder to manage. Noticing this, acknowledging that this is a very real possibility, means having the awareness to take steps to cool and calm your body. Keeping cooling drinks close to hand, cooling your face and neck with a cold, damp cloth might help, but try different strategies to find what works for you. Don't assume a one-size-fits-all approach to managing this.

What about those with sensory overwhelm caused by temperature? This is being talked about more now, but it feels like it is only a recent recognition of something many have struggled with on their own. Sensory overwhelm comes in all shapes and sizes - whether related to climate, light, sound, crowded spaces, or other factors. Making sure curtains and windows are closed in the intense heat of the day, then opened in the cooler times of early morning or late evening, can help manage the temperature of your indoor space, but do consider personal safety if leaving windows open at night.

Last, but not least, hot weather can remind us of summers past - the good times and the challenging. We might be taken back to a long, hot summer of nursing someone we loved, combined with the memories of 'living loss' and grief. This can be hard to relive - to sit with the heightened emotions that can come with such memories. This is a time for self-compassion, being kind to yourself and not pushing yourself unnecessarily, time to allow those feelings without being overwhelmed by them.

If you are finding things difficult right now, you might find it helpful to reach out to talk with someone who understands, who knows how to provide a safe, compassionate space for you to work through whatever has come up for you. I offer a free, initial session of up to 30 minutes in which we can discuss what you might be hoping for from counselling (including whether short-term, fixed number of sessions or longer-term), and whether we think we could work together. Drop me an email at dorothy@findperspectives.co.uk to start a conversation.