But surely its HOT - there's a heatwave emergency?
The problem with the language of heatwaves is that it can cause more anxiety than necessary, when the actual purpose of heatwave planning and heat-health alerts is to encourage people to take preventive action, provide advice and mobilise support, especially for the most vulnerable, for whom prolonged high temperatures can be dangerous. But the language and the reporting invariably frames such weather in a highly negative way that creates unhelpful levels of anxiety among many, let alone those who may already experience eco-anxiety.
‘It's hot’ is a judgement and a negative framing of the whole experience. So when we tell ourselves ‘it’s hot’ we struggle with it - we say ‘NO’ to it. And when we struggle with the physical experience we bring negative thoughts to bear which heighten our awareness of it, and our behaviour towards it, and increase our anxiety about it. So it often goes something like this:
“OMG its so hot, I can’t stand it. I feel like I'm going to pass out [rapidly tries to fan self with a book, piece of paper, or hand]. Its getting hotter and hotter and they say it’s going to reach the highest ever temperature recorded next week. I’ve got to get out of this heat.”
Stop struggling - say YES to it
So, instead, try saying ‘YES' to it - accept it for what it is - it’s a sensation, neither good nor bad, just a sensation…..
“It’s warm, but it’s just a sensation - it is what it is and worrying about it isn’t going to change it [sit with the experience, don’t judge it, and allow the immediate feeling of heat to pass - if you flap around and get agitated you just make yourself hotter still - and sweat is just the body cooling itself - allow it to happen].
This is mindful acceptance - an open willingness to the present moment experience, without judgement. If you travel on the tube or buses you can’t escape the heat. Take water with you, dress sensibly (you don’t need a jacket!) and accept that it will be warm, keep calm and carry on!
It’s summer…
And remember, it’s summer. Yes, climate change is likely to bring more extreme temperatures, but having a few weeks of hot dry weather is not unusual in July. For more than 20 years I’ve taken my holiday from mid-end July because there is a high probability of good weather in the UK at that time. It’s known as a ‘singularity’ - a period of high frequency of return of a type of weather pattern, in this case a high pressure system. We’ve had droughts and high temperatures before - for example notably in 1976, the early 1990s, 2003, 2019. However, our awareness has changed because we now have 24hr news and social media, and heatwave alert systems in a way we never had before.
We have to adapt to climate change - as a society and as individuals - just as we try to reduce the causes of climate change. Extreme temperatures should be a wake up call for such action. But, plenty of countries experience temperatures far higher than we do or are likely to - we can learn from them. And we can start our own personal adaptation process by dressing and behaving accordingly, and being a bit more mindful.
A little perspective is helpful if we are to cope better with warm weather. Take sensible precautions, and then simply by doing nothing other than accept it is what it is can free us from the personal struggle with heat. And with practice, it gets easier so even sleeping at night becomes OK, despite the warmth.
Try it - it works!
Bill Sheate 13 July 2022