Is It TOO HOT To Be Happy?
The optimist in me wants to scream a definitive “NO.” On the other hand, the practical me (that lives in Dallas where the heat index is over 100 every day in the summer), says “YES” the heat impedes my happiness. Just ask my dog Tater, who will tell you all about our exhausting walks under the Texas sun.
Anytime you meet-up with someone during Dallas summers, the chat always includes something about the heat–and not in a “you look hot” kind of way. Actually if someone says, “You look hot,” they’re probably wondering if you’re on the verge of a heat stroke because you look flushed.
In my former professional life as road warrior, my job took me to several summer conferences in Arizona. People always said, “But it’s a dry heat.” My response was, “When I need pot holders to hold the steering wheel of my car, it’s too hot.” Heat is relative to where you live but hot is hot, and too hot is too hot.
It’s not that the temperature that dampens your happy; It’s that when you breathe, it’s like inhaling an oven. You’re filling your lungs with air that sucks the life – or water – right out of your body. Which makes sense because you’re sweating so much you feel like you need to shower after briefly being outside.
For those of you who live in bitter cold winters, this isn’t about whether cold or heat is the most annoying. In fairness, I’ve never lived in a real winter. Although snow looks beautiful in pics and on TV, I might find shoveling and driving on it as annoying as the summer heat.
I’ve come to the conclusion that, in the moments I feel overheated, it does minimize my happy. I wish the heat didn’t change my smile, but when I’m hot, dehydrated and stinky, I’m not my happiest. However, in the grand scheme of a 24-hour day, my outside heat moments are brief. That’s not the only factor that steals moments of my happy from time to time, but regardless of what sucks the happy out of your day, the key is to keep it at a minimum.
Why I’m Happy When It’s Too Hot
Since I believe in walking my own talk I thought I should write a “Why I’m Happy When it’s TOO HOT” List:
- Air Conditioning
It’s an opportunity to express my gratitude to the all of the inventors who made modern AC possible. Because of their innovation, more of my moments are spent in climate-controlled spaces than outside in the heat.
- Shade Trees
Standing under the branches of a beautiful tree is always cooler than the blazing sun, and it’s always a reminder that perspective is everything.
- Floppy Hats
I happen to look good in them, and they are cute and fun to wear.
- Sunset
Evening walks after the sun goes down are usually nice – even if it’s still a little warm outside.
- Breeze
There’s nothing like a summer breeze to make you appreciate wind.
- Lemonade
A cold glass of fresh lemonade just quenches thirst better in the summer.
- Summer Dresses
It’s the one time of the year that wearing a dress is fun, because dresses will always be cooler than pants.
Yes, it’s a little self-serving to list it here, but it is the happiest month of summer.
- People Are More Relaxed
Even though people are busy, a lot of it is fun-focused. Summer is that one time of the year, hot or not, that people try to fill their calendars with fun, family and friends.
The heat, no matter how high the temp, can’t take away any of the summer moments that make me smile. When the heat steals a moment, a happy one is waiting for me around the corner.
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Click here if you’d like a copy of our 31 Summer Happiness Boosters.
Written by Pamela Gail
Pamela Gail Johnson founded the Society of Happy People in 1998.
The Society is grounded on Pamela’s four key Practical Happiness Principles:
Pamela identified 31 Types of Happiness that are on the SOHP App Happiness Counter to make it easier to recognize moments of happiness.
Pamela also plans and organizes the Society of Happy People's annual happiness celebrations:
She's also a speaker, trainer, and author.
A few of her personal smile starters include her monthly book club, yoga, traveling and meeting new happy people.
Poor Tater. Sounds like he’s a “Baked Tater” in the summer. Remember to stay hydrated!