Why does hot weather make you tired?

Feeling more tired than usual when the weather is warmer is a common experience, but it can be frustrating when all you want to do is get out there and enjoy the sun!

Stress and sleep

asktheexpert
Sonia Chartier
@AVogel_ca


20 July 2017

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Find out some of the reasons you might feel tired during hot weather, and what you can do about it.

The weather and your energy levels

Just when we’d like our energy levels to be at their maximum so we can get out and about and enjoy the good weather, many of us find that instead our energy levels drop suddenly as the temperature warms up. We often begin to feel sluggish, lethargic and sleepy, making us less inclined to get up and about.

This is rarely any cause for concern and can often be easily remedied, but if you find that you are experiencing other symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, dark colored urine and confusion, you may be suffering from heat exhaustion – a more serious condition that requires swift action.

So what are some of the reasons you might feel tired after a day or two in hot weather?

#1 – Dehydration
The main cause of fatigue during hot weather is simply dehydration. When temperatures increase many of us forget to increase our water intake along with it – and this isn’t helped by the fact that many of us aren’t drinking enough water to start with.

This is also exacerbated by the fact that during sunny weather, many of us treat ourselves to cocktails, wine and cold beers in the sun with friends and family. Unfortunately, these actually dehydrate you faster than not drinking anything at all!

Water is vital for the metabolism of energy from food, so without it we struggle to make the most of the food we’re eating. Water is also important for carrying oxygen and nutrients around the body, and without these resources, our muscles and brain will begin to slow down, making us feel sleepy and sluggish.

When we sweat, we also lose vital electrolytes, which are important for a number of functions, including muscle and brain function, so it is important to replace these as well!

Severe dehydration and loss of electrolytes are major contributing factors to heat exhaustion – so make sure to increase your water intake before this develops.

#2 – Lack of sleep
It is surprising how often people seem to forget that tiredness is a direct result of a lack of sleep. This is common when temperatures stay warm overnight, as many of us struggle to get a good night’s sleep while our rooms are stuffy and hot. We begin to sweat, we toss and turn to get comfortable and we wake up repeatedly through the night.

To help this, try switching to a lighter duvet or even a duvet cover with no duvet inside. Changing your sheets from synthetic material to cotton will also help.

If you need a helping hand, try Deep Sleep, a natural sleep remedy containing Valerian and Hops that helps ease you into your natural sleep cycle.

#3 – Stress
Stress is a factor that is often overlooked. Summertime can bring new stresses to our lives: the kids are at home all day instead of in school, demanding attention and entertainment; family holidays bring financial worries, plus the stress of organizing the holiday and getting everyone packed and ready; and the general disruption to routine that summer tends to bring is enough to unsettle our minds and cause stress.

Stress causes our digestive system to slow down, meaning we aren’t absorbing as many nutrients from our food as usual. This makes it harder to metabolize energy, and it also means we can become deficient in the vitamins and minerals that we need to keep our bodies working and our energy levels up. Stress keeps our minds busy and burns up extra energy to prepare us for the fight or flight response, which can quickly leave us feeling drained.

Throughout the summer months, taking a stress herb like such as Avenaforce can help reduce the symptoms of stress and keep your mind calm.

What else can you do to combat tiredness?

There are a number of things that you can do to boost your energy levels, regardless of the cause of your tiredness (though addressing the root cause as well will boost these beneficial effects).

Make sure to eat plenty of energy-rich foods, like complex carbohydrates –brown rice, sweet potatoes, quinoa and legumes – chia seeds, leafy greens (such as kale and spinach) and nuts.

Why not try baking these delicious vegan Chocolate-date energy balls or an energy-boosting snack?

A.Vogel Avenaforce®

A.Vogel Avenaforce®

50mL

Avena sativa is Oats. Renown to reinforce the nervous system , it is both relaxing and stimulating. …
More info

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