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Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend August 8, 2006 Lin Robbins of Talent trains with her husband Judd in their Talent gym. Robbins says the best way to beat the negative effects of hot summer days is Unrelenting heat could be to blame for irritability By JOHN DARLING for the Mail Tribune Cranky? Tired? Full of little aches and pains you never noticed before? Does it seem your mind is a bit foggy, making your work a lot harder? Well, guess what? It is very likely you're not going crazy — it's just the heat. The prolonged, day-after-day scorching of home and workplace by triple-digit summer heat — such as hit the Rogue Valley in late July — can be like Chinese water torture, breaking down your normal, cheery good will and laser-like focus on your work. Not to mention harmonious relations with partner and family, according to local health and behavior authorities. "My husband Judd gets very cranky, tired and stressed with the heat. He gets fussy and isn't as sharp," says Talent personal trainer Lin Robbins. "I always remind him to drink more water. Rehydration increases the volume of blood that's reaching the muscles and brain, bringing oxygen to them." Jeannie Newfield, owner of All's Well supplement shop in Ashland, reports "irritability, lack of patience, not wanting to do as much work ... but it doesn't last long. Advertisement "Usually ice cream and a cold shower take care of it," she says. "Or jumping in the reservoir (at the top of Granite Street) with our jogging clothes on. That made me feel much better." Medford counselor Nan Gunderson reports the client load goes up in August heat — and people are "more irritable, more volatile, getting less sleep, tempers are shorter" ... but clients do realize it's the heat that's exacerbating these behaviors. "I believe people expect more depression in summer. Maybe they had expected the summer to be more free and easy and if it isn't, the irritability, anxiety and depression all go up," says Gunderson. "I don't minimize their feelings. I feel it's a good time to work on them, when the symptoms are most active." In prolonged heat, Talent counselor and tai chi teacher Nando Raynolds edges into irritability and listlessness "that probably doesn't make me easier to live with" but he handles it "when dress code allows" by putting on a wet T-shirt. When clients come in feeling heat-stress symptoms, Raynolds has responded by handing out cold, damp washcloths and getting them to mindfully focus on their behaviors, then asking if they correlate with the skyrocketing thermometer. "Deep breathing helps — but cold water is the real miracle worker," he adds. Multiple blistering days, almost sure to return to the Rogue Valley if historical patterns hold, bring plenty of people in to buy electrolyte replacement drinks, such as ReCharge, says Newfield. These are compounds of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and other elements, containing ions that allow transmission of the body's nerve signals. Profuse sweating in the heat depletes "lytes," as they are called in the fitness world, and the result is muscle aches, lethargy and mental fogginess, according to health Web sites. One recent study says electrolyte drinks can hold off fatigue 37 percent longer, according to " target="_blank">www.webmd.com. And while hydration is universally urged during heat waves, too much water can wash out electrolytes, leaving you hydrated but still foggy and tired, adds Newfield. Electrolyte drinks are quick-acting, bringing relief from muscle aches and spasms, she says. Being from muggy, steamy St. Louis, Gunderson says she looks forward to the heat and the memories of the lazy, hazy days of summer — and, knowing of the long drizzly months ahead, "I think of it as storing up heat for the winter." John Darling is a freelance writer living in Ashland. E-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Advertisement s Advertisement