Stress management on hot days

First of all – the hot days are actually meant in the sense of high temperatures.

In general, Central Europe always experiences weeks of hot summer weather in the summer. Yet, the impression remains that many people in Central Europe don't cope well with prolonged high temperatures. Sun and warmth, which are supposed to boost health and good mood (keyword: vitamin D), tend to cause a mixture of lethargy and aggression in many people. This makes us wonder why? And what can we do about it?

Of course, we primarily associate sun and warmth with holidays and not with sitting in an office, factory or car for 8 hours a day.

People in the classic hot countries also work, but with a different daily rhythm and mostly with AC in the offices.

Now, of course, our working world cannot adopt a summer rhythm every time summer time comes.

But we as individuals can do a lot to minimize heat stress, even without a traditional siesta or air conditioning. This includes both the physical stress caused by heat and the emotional and mental stress (often associated with it).

This starts with our diet. Light, vitamin-rich meals are preferable. During your lunch break, it's a good idea to have a light snack and spend some time relaxing in the shade of a tree (or on a park bench)—like a little siesta. And instead of spurring yourself on with the umpteenth energy drink, it's much more refreshing to drink plenty of fresh water flavored with a few mint sprigs and ginger slices.

And in the evening – instead of chilling in a bar with Aperol & co. – how about a walk in nature? And cooling your feet in a stream? You can find something positive in every weather and every season if you really want to and are open to a bit of variety in your everyday life. And anyway – just as our body needs sufficient minerals, trace elements and vitamins in winter to protect itself against the cold and the associated infections, it also needs more healthy, health-preserving and strengthening substances in extreme heat. Mentally, it is important, especially on hot days, not to waste energy on heated discussions or a heated temper. You can also keep a cool head by occasionally cooling your forehead, temples and neck with a damp cloth (mint water is refreshing not only as a drink). And when the level of stress at work increases, the general rule, and especially on warm days, is to “step out” for 10 seconds - take a deep breath, raise your shoulders and let them drop as you exhale - repeat the whole process 2-3 times and say to yourself in typical Austrian fashion: “whatever - it will all work out somehow”.

And if all else fails, imagine how you will long for sun and warmth in three months of rainy, cold, and foggy weather.