Published on January 30, 2026
How to soothe your nervous system when the temperature rises
When the heat creeps in, it doesn’t just affect your body. It settles into your thoughts, your patience, your energy. Everything can feel louder, heavier, harder. And if you’ve noticed yourself feeling more irritable, foggy, or flat on hot days, you’re not imagining it.
Heat is stimulating. It asks more of your nervous system, even when you’re trying to rest.
So instead of pushing through or trying to power on as usual, this season is an invitation to soften. To cool things down, gently and intentionally. Start with your body. Lowering your physical temperature sends a signal of safety to your nervous system. A cool shower before bed. A damp cloth on the back of your neck. Bare feet on tiled floors. Simple things, but surprisingly regulating.
Hydration matters too. Think slow sips. Cold water poured into a glass. Adding ice, citrus, or fresh berries if it makes it feel more appealing. Turn it into a pause rather than another thing to tick off.
Your pace matters. Hot days aren’t the time for rushing. Move slower. Take breaks earlier than you think you need. Let afternoons be quieter if you can. Even five minutes of stillness can help your system reset.
And then there’s your environment. Dim lights in the evening. Curtains drawn against the sun. A gentle scent or a cooling mist to shift the mood of a room. These small cues help your body understand it’s okay to unwind.
Most of all, let go of the expectation that you should feel the same in summer as you do in cooler months. You’re allowed to need more rest. More ease. More care.
Cooling the body isn’t about escaping the heat. It’s about working with it. Listening. Responding. And choosing calm where you can.
This season, let your nervous system set the pace.