As Houston’s heat wave intensifies, the sweltering temperatures are more than just uncomfortable—they can actually lower serotonin levels, making us all feel a bit more on edge.
The good news? Acknowledging and validating emotions can provide a much-needed cool down for both mind and body.
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Dr. Melanie Gregg from B Well Counseling Center emphasizes the importance of validation in managing these feelings.
“Learning how to talk about emotions, label them just that in itself can alleviate some stress and some negativity around the emotion,” she explained. “You aren’t saying you’re right or that you agree – you’re just validating their feelings, and that can regulate someone,” she says.
In real-life scenarios, this might look like acknowledging someone’s frustration by voicing your understanding.
“You are not alone. We can all relate to this. It’s already hot and humid in the morning, and it can feel draining and fatiguing, making you feel irritable.”
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Sometimes just getting a drink of water can help you calm down, Dr. Gregg explained.
“You can put that here like on your chest or in the back of your neck. What you’re doing there is you are regulating your emotions and your nervous system, but how it stimulates the vagus nerve.,” Dr. Gregg said. “So it’s going to regulate both our brain and body. It signals to the brain, okay, you can calm down a bit.”
Dr. Gregg highlights the significance of being kind to oneself and not feeling ashamed of negative emotions. She encourages hope for brighter days, reminding us that “the uncomfortable ones don’t last forever.”