Weathering the heat

Winter blues are well-documented but summer sensitivity is proving a problem for those struggling to cope with a UAE summer. Sameera Fernandes investigates

• By Sameera Fernandes, freelance writer
• Published: 00:20 September 5, 2008
• 

If you've felt irritable on an extremely hot day, you'll know that the weather does have some physical, however minimal, or psychological effect on our moods. Weather can have positive and negative effects on people. It is generally accepted that ideal sunshine and pleasant weather conditions positively affect our moods and productivity.

Clinical psychologist at the Human Relations Institute Dr Deema Sihweil says, "Most people move to this region to escape the dreary, cold, dark conditions in favour of bright and hot temperatures. Under-exposure to light can lead to a disruption in normal body cycles, which can ultimately lead to poor productivity."

It's obvious that extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornados or tsunamis can undoubtedly change people's lives entirely.

"Sudden shifts in weather systems can disrupt lives quite dramatically and the effects of severe weather conditions can negatively impact both psychological and physical health
and behaviour," adds Dr Sihweil. Cold and rainy seasons can lead people to isolate themselves socially, hot weather can frustrate people and severe temperature changes can disrupt energy levels as well.

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Severe weather conditions can also lead to traumatic events, as we have seen with tsunamis and hurricanes around the world. Such severe weather events can change geography and history as well. Effects of weather are wide-ranging and can affect the incidence of physical disease as well, depending on the region.
Changing weather patterns can have particularly profound effects on the body.

This means that when the weather is very cold, blood pressure rises, cholesterol increases and you are at higher risk of a heart attack or stroke.

There is more aggression in very hot weather – more violent crime and less impulse control. Wind can create higher rates of breathing difficulties. It can increase serotonin levels in the body, and it can cause more anxiety, depression and mood swings.
"Due to the nature of work and the hot weather, most people spend more time indoors than outdoors nowadays," says Dr Sihweil.

"This can have
a negative impact on our bodies and behaviour." Neurotransmitters in the brain may be affected, as sunlight influences the regulation of behaviour, including sleep, aggression and depression.
"Rising temperatures also lead to increased ozone levels, causing air pollution and smog to worsen," says Jacques Reynders, recreation manager, Al Bustan Rotana Hotel. "Air pollution and smog can cause both acute and chronic health problems, including respiratory infections like bronchitis, worsening asthma, heart disease,
and stroke.
"Gastroenteritis due to contamination of water systems is also related to increasing temperatures
and will have a significant impact, particularly in developing countries. Even a small increase in the average temperature could have a profound effect on our health, particularly for those most vulnerable including infants and children, the elderly, people with pre-existing health conditions like asthma and chronic lung and cardiac diseases, the homeless and those who are more exposed such as people who exercise or work outdoors."

Health hazards

"In summer, our body tends to get dehydrated both outdoors, due to the sun, and indoors, due to the use of air conditioners," says nutritionist Nafeesa Ahmed of Zulekha Hospital. "Hot environments may be of two varieties: dry and hot as in deserts, or hot and humid as in coastal regions.
Heat stress imposes physiological strain through decreased gastrointestinal functioning, increase in core temperature, decrease in gastric emptying and intestinal motility, hypohydration which leads to decreased physical and mental functions, heat cramps, flatulence, vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea and heat stroke. It is important to remember
that adequate fluid replacement overshadows all other considerations
of nutrient requirements in a hot environment."

Dr Sihweil explains that numerous studies have been conducted on the effects of bad weather conditions on mental illness and have found that going for long periods of time without much sunlight can decrease moods and lead to psychological distress, often severe. "However", she adds, "the reverse is also found to be true."

According to a study conducted by the American Psychiatric Association in 2007, severely hot temperatures can
also lead to an increase in mental illness
or heat-related health conditions.

Hotter temperatures are associated
with increased aggression, hostility, impatience and angry outbursts. Consistent, pleasant conditions of room temperature and moderate sunlight are found to have the healthiest effects on our moods and increase cognitive clarity and productivity.
"When the weather changes, my immune system takes a while to adapt," says administration officer Jamila Daendler.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
SAD, also known as winter depression, is a syndrome characterised by depression during winter months when there is less daylight. Seasonal Affective Disorder is directly related to or even caused by too little sunlight, which causes the body's time clock to go out of sync, thus upsetting the body's routine, and may even affect certain hormonal levels in it.

The symptoms of SAD are depression, lethargy, fatigue, excessive sleeping, difficulty getting up in the morning, loss of appetite or increased eating of carbohydrates and resultant weight gain, decreased activity and socialisation, apathy and irritability.

Workforce woes
Priya Kapil, a human resource business partner manager, shuffles between the outdoors and indoors to attend meetings and visit clients.

"Weather is an important factor if work requires extensive field coverage," she says. "In an artificially climate-controlled room or area, moods won't be affected much by climatic conditions. Temperatures from 13ÞC up to 25ÞC will be comfortable to work in and will help a person to contribute more with less need for breaks.

Heat over 35ÞC saps energy faster, resulting in greater loss of fluids and physical fatigue. Physical fatigue affects our moods and level of concentration."
Weather conditions that impact people physically affect productivity.

Comfortable weather brightens our spirits, as it does not assert any physical stress. Hot conditions have a more serious impact on people in terms
of productivity if the work involves extensive movement or travel.

Effects of spending time in artificial
and circulated air
To create a perfect environment, we isolate ourselves more and expose ourselves to more toxins than we would if we were outside. The more we seal our buildings off from the outside conditions, the more we trap chemicals, mould and germs in the inside environment. Some modern ventilation systems tend to recycle these things through the air-conditioning instead of bringing in fresh air. We are breathing recycled air; air that has volatile chemicals in it.

"Seeking medical advice on the effects of air-conditioning or heat on one's physical health is really important," adds Dr Sihweil.

"People often complain about having respiratory problems and this is because we are more susceptible to inhaling germs from circulated air.
If you're indoors all the time, it is important to spend at least half an hour outside getting some physical exercise and exposure to fresh air. Happy bodies are happy minds and vice versa."

But Jamila, who works in
a central air-conditioned office, feels otherwise. "In a superficial work environment of fax tones, phone conversations, fluorescent lights
and central AC, it is hardly noticeable once you've integrated yourself into the day-to-day drill of an office lifestyle. This should not affect productivity in any way," she adds.

Is there a season that tends to be the worst for health problems?

The weather that has the greatest impact on us is changeable weather. It is during extreme fluctuations that our bodies need adequate time to adapt.
Dr Sihweil says, "Again, major weather extremes can have negative consequences on one's health. It is important for people to discuss certain respiratory, cardiovascular and/or arthritic conditions with their doctors and how weather can affect these ailments."

Who is most vulnerable to
weather-related conditions?
People at extreme ends of the age spectrum are most vulnerable to weather-related conditions.
"The elderly, young children and physically or mentally ill people are most vulnerable to weather-related conditions and ought to consider the geographical implications on their health when making the decision to move," says Dr Sihweil.

Effects of relocating and changing
weather conditions
People acclimatise differently to different types of weather conditions. "However," says Dr Sihweil, "In my practice, some people have expressed that their bodies will 'remember' the changing of seasons despite the lack of major change in regions like the UAE. When living in a country with four seasons, it takes a long time for people to adjust to different climatic conditions because we can make associations to certain memories at certain times of the year.

For example, many people will associate certain holidays with certain weather conditions and when the weather is different in the new country, it can certainly confuse people. Our bodies are resistant to change and it usually takes a full year to experience how the differences impact us."

Expat adjustment?

"The beauty of the UAE is its sunshine. When the sun shines, it's always easier to be bright and breezy. People are positive, work gets done faster, things are always on the move and everything is bright and beautiful," says Gaye Brodie, an expatriate from
New Zealand.

"I didn't have any problems adapting to the weather here. I immigrated here in December 2007, so I had experienced similar weather in New Zealand at the time. Both places had a nice, cool climate and I have therefore had the chance to slowly ease into the warm weather over here.
"So far, I have not changed my diet
or shifted to anything new. But as it is much colder in the winter in New Zealand, we tend to have more soups and hot foods compared to salads and BBQs in the summer months."

Practical ways to implement treatments
Increasing your exposure to light can be highly beneficial in improving your mood during winter. This can be achieved artificially or naturally.

Instead of going to the gym, you may want to consider taking an hour-long walk outside. Even if it is cloudy, an hour of exposure to daylight will help
to relieve symptoms of SAD.
In addition, try to sit near windows. Remember, the goal is to try and get as much natural light exposure as possible.

Getting proper nutrition will help boost your energy levels and help
you feel better. This is true throughout the year, but the benefits of healthy eating will be marked when you are feeling low.
It is also important to get enough sleep. The typical recommendation is seven-and-a-half to nine hours per night. Sleeping less than this will only increase fatigue and sleeping more will cause grogginess and increase lethargy.

Some people experience the reversal and can have depressed moods during the summer months instead of the winter months. This is known as Reversed Seasonal Affective Disorder (RSAD), and people with this may experience anxiety, restlessness, bad moods or increased anger
and aggression.

Beating the weather blues
Some people like weather changes. Others may be frustrated or simply annoyed with changing weather conditions. However, with every season there are physical and emotional activities that people can engage in that can be quite satisfying. When weather becomes a problem, it is important for people to consider how they can spend their time safely, and enjoy it with loved ones.
Dr Sihweil suggests, "If problematic weather persists, developing a lifestyle around the weather conditions will most likely lead to a decrease in boredom, frustration and restlessness. These days, we can go skiing when it's blazing hot outside, and go swimming when it's freezing cold."
Jamila reflects, "To beat the summer heat, I try to avoid the sun by staying indoors. Apart from this, I wear loose clothes with natural fibres that let air through so that perspiration evaporates. I have lots of fruits and water. I also work on my tan, of course with lots of SPF appropriate sunblock.

To avoid the winter blues, I try to take in more Vitamin B, exercise more often to keep my body warm and active, eat more carbs, and wear more layers of clothing. Layered clothes trap air, preventing body heat from escaping, and you can take some of the layers off when you move from very cold to slightly cold."

Beauty and the beast
Shamira Mitha, director of Natural Elements Spa & Fitness, says that visiting a spa can help.

"Using purely natural ingredients, the Natural Elements Spa offers nourishing treatments for all skin types that are affected by different weather conditions," she says.
"During the summer months, due to high heat and extreme humidity, the body tends to swell up. Over-exposure to the sun can leave the skin dehydrated. During winter, people are always wearing warm clothes and keep themselves covered, consequently neglecting their skin.
"The seaweed body wrap is perfect during the hot weather as it hydrates and remineralises dry, damaged skin.''

Changing your diet to counteract the weather
With weather as a modifying factor,
our diet most certainly changes
during different weather conditions. Clearly, cooling the body during warmer temperatures and warming the body during colder temperatures is helpful when dealing with weather conditions.

"In any weather condition, maintaining a balanced diet is key to good health," advises nutritionist Ahmed. "This provides all the nutrients required by the body in the right proportions to promote growth and maintain good health. One should therefore eat intelligently. For a balanced diet, the six basic food groups are essential: grains, vegetables, fruits, milk and dairy products, meat and beans, and fats such as oil.
"As fruits and vegetables tend to keep the body hydrated and maintain the body's electrolyte balance, they can be consumed freely during all climatic conditions."
Dr Sihweil adds, "Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water every day can help the body regulate its internal temperature. Caffeine can dehydrate the body, and people ought to take precautions when involved in leisure or sport activities for an extended period of time in harsh sunlight."
"I prefer to eat more fresh fruit in summer," says Jamila, "and more hot foods during winter. This keeps me fresh and active all day long."

Perfect temperature for happiness
There is an optimum temperature for mood, according to researchers.
It's 22.2ÞC, or about room temperature. Stray too far from this temperature in either direction and your mood is likely to take a dip.

Generally speaking, researchers have found that pleasant weather can improve mood, memory, susceptibility to new information and creative thought. If it gets too hot, however, moods tend to deplete.
"It's wrong to say that there is
a perfect temperature," explains Dr Sihweil. "We have evolved with the weather changes and each area of the world has its own relative 'perfect' temperature." Perhaps it's only a matter of time until the UAE summer becomes the ideal temperature.
– Sameera Fernandes is a Dubai-based freelance writer

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