Heat seems to bring out the best and worst in all of us. We love to get a chance to do all of those outdoor activities we moan and complain about not being able to do when the sun isn’t shining. But when it’s really, really hot, it also makes most of us want to crawl into our basement or refrigerator and take a little siesta. So, it seems to make sense then that during these hot days, our nearest and dearest seem to have taken on a new ‘personality’ as it were – moving from ‘happy for the heat’ to crabby and/or nitpicking at the drop of a sun-hat.
It’s helpful to remember that simple strategy to drink lots of water in order to ensure we are well hydrated. It is amazing what dehydration can do – even mild forms – to our mood and general outlook. Make sure the kids drink lots of water too – or well diluted juice. Notice if you or others in your family have taken to drinking more sugary (or alcoholic?) drinks than might be usual. Sugar and alcohol affect mood, and together with heat and too much sun make for not necessarily the romantic or fun-filled ‘walk in the park’ you were hoping for!
All talk of water and sun aside, hot days are a wonderful opportunity to put on the brakes just a little bit. Take a few moments – even as few as 5 or 10 – to just sit on your lawn, balcony, or chair inside your window and notice how the sun glistens off the water, the colours in the leaves and flowers are just so vibrant and bright, and how the insects, birds and animals are lazily making their way through the day. Notice nature, and mimic it. Slow your pace a little and soak in the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations of the day and store it in your memory to retrieve when the temperature (literally or figuratively) around us is dipping well below freezing and we can’t seem to get the chill out of our bones.
So, when you find yourself irritated and hot, just remember that you have the ability to change how you think and feel about the moment you are in – stop to notice what is GOOD and beautiful about what or who is next to you and keep THAT image in your mind. The moment – and irritation – will pass. And so will the hot, hot days of summer.
To your health,
Tanya
