Press
The “heat dome” over Europe is causing problems for people. A health psychologist explains why our bodies are suffering so much from it.
Kassel – An enormous heat wave is currently making southern Europe sweat. Temperatures have risen to over 40 degrees in some places, and the first fatalities have been reported in Italy. In view of the extreme heat, a weather expert is talking about a heat dome in holiday destinations.
This “heat dome” effect is particularly intense because the reduction in air pollution leads to stronger solar radiation. The trade magazine New Scientist had already predicted such a heat wave in June based on scientific analyses.
Expert warns of heatwave: “Our bodies are not equipped for such temperatures”
Despite temperatures of over 40 degrees, many people are not deterred from going on holiday. But an expert warns that this extreme heat will not help “the majority of people” to relax. Claudia Traunmüller, stress researcher and health psychologist at the University of Graz, is concerned about the effects of the high temperatures on the human body. “Our bodies are certainly not naturally equipped for such temperatures,” she warns in an interview with heute.at.
Traunmüller explained that the heat puts a lot of strain on the body: “The outside temperature naturally causes the body to heat up extremely, and overheating can have fatal consequences for the organism, so the body tries everything to prevent this from happening. If it notices that it cannot cope, that alone is extremely stressful for the body.”
She also stressed that when on holiday in Europe in such temperatures it is important not only to Sun to “sizzle”. The expert therefore criticises the attitude of many holidaymakers: “It’s just a matter of having to go there, having to fly, having to go south in the summer,” she said.
Helping the body recover: What to look out for during a heatwave
But the heat is not only a problem on the beach, but also on trips to sights, so Greece has closed its most popular attractions due to the heat wave. In some holiday regions such as Mykonos, Crete and also in Turkey, temperatures of up to 45 degrees were measured.
Traunmüller offers some advice to help the body recover. For example, people should spend lunchtime indoors during a heatwave. Diet also plays a role. The expert advises avoiding fatty foods and cold drinks and instead drinking hot peppermint tea to cool the body from the inside.
The AOK health magazine recommends mineral water, flavoured water and fruit juice spritzers. Sugary and alcoholic drinks as well as coffee, green and black tea are not suitable. Water-rich foods should be included in the diet. Fruit– and vegetables such as melons, strawberries, tomatoes or cucumbers are preferred. Instead of three large meals, it is better to eat several small meals throughout the day.
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