It’s hot in Singapore. And while we’re all somewhat used to the sunny climate on our island, the weather as of late has been scorching and only temporarily cooled by erratic thunderstorms. With deadly heatwaves affecting countries all over the world, no one is quite exempt from the soaring temperatures.
The rise in temperature can also exacerbate feelings of anxiety. While we’re used to hearing about seasonal affective disorder (SAD) happening in winter months where the bleak weather causes one’s mood to slump, SAD in the summer – or, in Singapore’s case, in the warmer months where temperatures peak – is more common than you think.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital, notes that typical symptoms of summer anxiety can include feelings of agitation, reduced appetite, increased irritability and insomnia. Such symptoms are aggravated by stressors such as the high heat and humidity.
In short, the higher heat can worsen moods and cause one to feel more irritable. So what can you do to alleviate symptoms?