{
  "id": 26013,
  "title": "Heatwave anxiety can make you feel 'incredibly helpless' - here's how to manage it",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/24/heatwave-anxiety-can-make-you-feel-incredibly-helpless-heres-how-to",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-07-24T00:05:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Health",
    "slug": "bbc-health",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgk4xrznxn5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Heat waves brought on by global warming can leave people feeling overwhelmed and helpless, according to Tavia Watts. As the UK endured its hottest June on record, Watts found herself unable to cope with the soaring temperatures in her children's bedroom, which soared above 30C at times. She posted a video to her Instagram account, voicing her anxieties about the heat and the safety of her young family. The video garnered over 18,000 likes and 1,700 reposts, suggesting many shared her sentiments.\n\nClimate anxiety is a recognized mental health issue, affecting an estimated 4.6% of the UK population. Women and young people are particularly vulnerable. Psychologists have noted that repeated exposure to extreme weather events like heatwaves can trigger anticipatory anxiety, leaving people feeling powerless and fearful about their future. Watts, who experienced her own bout of climate anxiety, has since taken steps to manage her distress. She signs petitions, organizes climate community events, and even became vegetarian as a symbolic act of protest. Lizzie Ellen, a mother from London, has also struggled with climate anxiety since learning about the issue in school. She now obsessively checks weather apps and keeps her baby cool to alleviate her worries.\n\nExperts recommend various strategies for coping with climate anxiety. Talking to others can help alleviate feelings of isolation, as many may be experiencing similar concerns. Finding a supportive community and taking collective action can channel anxiety into positive change and reduce symptoms of anxiety. Physically cooling down by taking showers, drinking water, and staying hydrated can also help manage both physical and mental well-being during extreme heat. By taking proactive steps, individuals can regain a sense of control over their lives and contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change.",
  "summary": "Extreme heat can take a toll on mental health - and young people and women are among the groups most at risk, according to one study.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}