While scientists continue to notice changes in global weather patterns as the climate evolves, they discover how weather conditions impact mental well-being. In conversations regarding mental health, social and biological factors overshadow discussions, yet recent research findings reveal that environmental conditions, primarily temperature fluctuations, play a pivotal role in moulding emotional and psychological states. Then again, does the weather matter when it comes to the mental health of teenagers?
The findings of the research highlight that rising temperatures and extreme weather can be connected with higher rates of mental distress, anxiety, depression, and possibly suicidal thoughts. A 2023 review in The Lancet Planetary Health shows an alarming correlation between greater temperatures and changes in weather patterns were correlated with increased suicide rates and suicidal behaviours as well as with hospital admissions for conditions related to mental health.
According to the lead researcher of the study, the evidence shows that more irritability and fatigue accompanied concentration impairments when high-temperature levels occur during these conditions. Violent crimes also correlate well with high levels of temperature conditions, as mentioned earlier; these can serve to increase behaviour influences and disturbances through environmental stresses.
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Why Is The Youth Vulnerable?
In an exclusive interaction with the editorial team of Onlymyhealth, Dr Nikhil Nayar, Psychiatrist, Sharda Hospital — Noida explained that adolescents and young adults may be especially susceptible to the mental health effects of changing weather patterns. Several factors contribute to this vulnerability including:
1. Developing Coping Mechanisms
The younger generation is still in the developing stages of all those emotional regulation skills, thus unable to cope with environmental stressors.
2. Social and Academic Pressures
Schools and societies have already burdened the minds of students with so much, and on top of that extreme climatic conditions add another level of pressure.
3. Disruptive Routine
Extreme and severe climatic conditions tend to affect sleeping, outdoor activity, and social life; three essentials that facilitate mental well-being.
4. Physical Discomfort and Sleep Disturbances
Hot temperatures especially at night can interfere with good quality of sleep, which plays a major role in keeping a person's emotional balance intact.
What Can Be Done?
While the weather patterns are beyond an individual's control, there are things that young people can do to protect their mental health:
- Keep yourself hydrated and cool.
- Recognise mood changes associated with weather changes. They can help people develop coping strategies.
- If the reaction toward weather-related stress becomes too hard to handle, mental health experts, friends, or members of one's family can always relieve it.
Bottomline
As the research continues to highlight the relationship between weather and mental health, it is imperative to consider the much broader effects of climate change on psychological health. As per the experts, it is fundamental to understand the environmental impacts so it becomes possible to make young people more resilient in dealing with an increasingly unpredictable world.