Regulating Your Body’s Thermostat During A Heatwave

My newly wedded husband Steve cooling off in the sea in Sardinia on our honeymoon!

Heatwaves make us uncomfortable, lethargic and incapable of functioning. This is particularly true of the elderly, women in peri- and postmenopause, young children and anyone battling stress or anxiety, illness or infection. 

The typical western diet with its focus on acidic foods ie red meat, white bread/pasta, table salt, refined sugar, dairy, caffeine, and alcohol, means we tend to stay in a state of inflammation (inner flame). Add environmental heat on top and we’re really suffering! While inflammation is not an enemy, and acute inflammation is a very important part of the healing process, the real problem is chronic inflammation (involved in arthritis for example), which is damaging over time and which we need to reverse or at least reduce.

What increases body temperature, and ramps up discomfort on summer days above 25c? 

Alcohol, caffeine, heavy foods such as excess red meat (pork, lamb, beef), strenuous exercise, dehydration, being overweight, stress and/or anxiety, having a fever due to an infection or illness, hormone-related conditions, and pregnancy.

I’ve concluded that heatwaves are a reminder for us to place greater value on self-awareness, self-care and mindfulness all year round. To have a strong focus on self-care means we’ll be able to cope with extreme temperatures. Treats in moderation are fine for us as you know, and if we are ill, stressed or anxious something needs to be addressed so we can feel better.

Following common sense advice on hot days is important too – stay out of the sun during 11am and 3pm, stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity or exercise, wear light clothing, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses… You know the drill!

Foods

Traditional Chinese medicine plays a huge role in kinesiology, and sees summer as a time to clear ‘internal heat’, and support the heart and spleen organs. We can eat more cold or cooling foods during hot days, as informed by TCM. 

You can search for a longer list online, but examples of nourishing cold foods include: bamboo shoots, bananas, crab, lettuce, grapefruit, spinach, tofu, tomatoes, watermelon, chamomile tea. (However, be sure to avoid ice cold drinks and foods as these can shock/paralyse your digestive system.)

Examples of nourishing cool foods include: apples, asparagus, avocado, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, celery, kiwi, oranges, pineapple, pear, soy beans, strawberries, Swiss chard, coconut water, green tea, peppermint tea.

In addition, light proteins are beneficial: white fish, chicken and tofu, as opposed to heavier proteins. Cooling fruit and vegetables hydrate and clear excess heat. Go for foods you know your body digests easily, to help make your body’s workload easier.

Hormones

Kinesiology can play an important role in our ability to stay cool from the inside. The hormone glands which control or influence your internal thermostat include the hypothalamus, thyroid, and adrenals. The hypothalamus acts as the internal thermostat, it’s also in charge of inducing sweating to bring the body back to its optimum temperature. The thyroid also plays a major role in heat issues, if we struggle with being too hot or too cold, it can be a sign that the thyroid is out of balance.

Stress and anxiety stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, triggering the release of adrenaline which elevates the body’s temperature. You may have experienced ‘anxiety sweats’ yourself. Having regular endocrine balances with me in person is a great way to cover this base – with balanced hormones you can give yourself a better chance to feel comfortable and able to function during hot weather - but will also strengthen your immune system, and is a massive help with stress and anxiety too that can lead to the need for alcohol and caffeine, and excess sugar.

The hot flushes that are common during menopause relate to the liver, so I would also check this organ for women in this age range.

Self-love helps you keep your cool in the blazing hot sun. Choosing a consistent, self-supporting lifestyle (with plenty of calming, restful activities) and a healthy, alkalising diet means we are demonstrating that self love.

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Want to reach out to me to ask a question or book in for a kinesiology treatment? Email me at hello@hannasharpekinesiology.com or Tel: 07730330533