00:00Heat doesn't just have a physical impact on our bodies as temperatures rise, it can affect our minds as well.
00:06Almost everybody knows that they get really cranky and really irritated when the heat goes up.
00:15A variety of factors contribute to those feelings, like difficulty cooling down or even the ability to use time outdoors as a way to cope with everyday stress.
00:23Behaviorally, increased violence, kids getting into scrapes on the field, road rage that is simmering during extreme heat, all the way up to more violent crimes.
00:38There is increase in depression, increase in what we call mood instability.
00:45Difficulty sleeping and warmer air can also contribute to mental health impacts. Medications play a role as well.
00:51The medications we use can make it more difficult for our bodies to cool down, what we call thermoregulation.
00:59Speak ahead of time with your provider. Don't stop taking your medications, but know that your medications can have an impact.
01:07Cooper says the best way to combat these effects is to plan ahead and know how to keep yourself cool during a heat wave.
01:13Heat waves can be killers. Don't stay in overheated apartments.
01:20Make sure ahead of time that you have ways to cool your living spaces with things that cover the windows, that keep heat out.
01:29For AccuWeather, I'm meteorologist Tony Laubach.
