Can Temperature Alter Our Moods?

There is growing evidence that suggests high or low temperatures may play a part in altering our moods! It has long been known that a good day of sunshine can lift our spirits and mood, it can be of benefit to our mental health.  Sunlight produces vitamin D which increases serotonin in our brains. Similarly, a drop in temperature, or a rainy day can lead to a drop in mood. Those that suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) are often treated with light therapy and Vitamin D.

Temperature Effects On The Body

Some studies have shown that there may be a link between high temperatures (above 20°C) and people behaving more aggressively. It is thought that hot temperatures increase feelings of anger and increase symptoms of anxiety due to discomfort with high temperatures. Heart rate and blood pressure can increase, which can lead to a rise in body temperature, feelings of discomfort and our memories can suffer.  High Humidity may also cause tiredness and headaches which can affect people’s moods, as we tend to be more sleepy and unhappier.

Average Body Temperatures

Generally, the advice is not to stay out in the sun for long periods and try to keep your body cool on extremely hot days. Ten to thirty minutes of midday sun several times a week, is the general rule to absorb enough vitamin D and increase serotonin levels. The average body temperature is usually between 36.5 to 37.5 °C. Hyperthermia is when the body produces more heat than it can release and core body temperatures rise to 38°C or more, so drinking plenty of water and staying cool are important. On the other hand, Hypothermia is when the body loses heat quicker than it produces heat, thus causing very low body temperatures, shivering, memory loss and drowsiness.

What to do when the temperature is low?

·      Wear layers of clothes

·      Take plenty of hot drinks

·      Stay warm at night when sleeping

What to do when the temperature is high?

·      Use air conditioning or sit in shady area

·      Stay out of the midday sun

·      Drink plenty of fluids to stay dehydrated

How to check temperature?

·      You can check your own body temperature using a non-contact, infrared digital thermometer

·      To check if your food is cooked correctly, you can insert a food probe and check the temperature            reading from the food/meat thermometer

·      Ensure your fridges and freezers are performing correctly by using a digital thermometer or       inserting a data logger inside the fridge/freezer that can record the temperature by minute, by hour or daily. A data logger will alert you to any fluctuations in temperature and allow you to adjust accordingly

Techris Systems offer full range of high specification thermometers and data logger at affordable prices to suit your home, business and work environment. All of our thermometers and data loggers are provided with a calibration certificate that is traceable to National Standards ensuring that you instruments are operating correctly.