Dr. Rumi Reuben, a Psychiatrist at Galle Karapitiya Hospital, has sounded the alarm on the adverse effects of high temperatures, shedding light on how extreme heat can detrimentally affect both physical and mental well-being, particularly among children.
Drawing from research findings, Dr. Reuben emphasizes that elevated temperatures can lead to a decline in children’s mental resilience, making them more susceptible to forgetting lessons and experiencing cognitive difficulties. Moreover, the scorching heat has been identified as a contributing factor to a surge in familial conflicts, including disputes between parents and children, as well as conflicts between spouses.
Highlighting the underlying mechanisms, Dr. Reuben underscores that the inability to regulate impulses exacerbated by excessive heat exacerbates these interpersonal tensions. This phenomenon, he asserts, not only contributes to an uptick in road accidents and social unrest but also poses a significant risk to mental health, particularly among individuals with anxiety disorders.
In light of these concerns, Dr. Reuben stresses the importance of adopting preventative measures to mitigate the impact of extreme heat on mental health. He advocates for increasing water intake and seeking shade whenever possible to counteract the effects of excessive sweating, thereby promoting hydration and thermoregulation.
