Flaring temps and tempers linked

Keeping your cool emotionally in the summer months may prove more troublesome than in seasons with cooler temps, according to numerous studies that have shown links between hot temperatures and increased aggression and violent behaviors.

According to Josh Klapow, PhD, clinical psychologist and behavioral scientist at The University of Alabama at Birmingham: “The discomfort caused by extreme heat can lead to increased anger and aggression in many people. Tempers get shorter as we get hotter, and we are more likely to react angrily to circumstances that wouldn’t bother us as much if the weather were cooler.”

“There are a number of emotionally laden situations that are on people’s minds now as the temperature’s rise, including the Orlando shooting, the rhetoric surrounding the presidential elections, debates on gun control and the continuing specter of terrorism,” Dr. Klapow said.

Keeping angry emotions from spiraling out of control during the hot summer months can be easier with these three steps, he added:

Relax: Remember to slow down, count to 10, take deep breaths, and calm yourself. “While it is probably the last thing you want to hear when angry, it is critical to slow down the anger response. Take deep breaths, which will modify heart rate and blood pressure, and relax your muscles, which will slow anger response. Repeat a phrase such as ‘calm down’ over and over until your anger fades,” according to Dr. Klapow.

Rethink: Re-examine the situation causing your anger. Said Dr. Klapow: “Rethinking means coming up with another explanation for the problem that doesn’t cause you so much anger. Refocusing your thinking may help you solve the problem rather than just getting—and staying—mad.”

Redirect: Turn your negative and strong emotions into something productive, such as exercise. This will help release and re-channel all of that negative emotional energy into a positive outcome.