Does very hot weather leave you feeling more exhausted and lethargic than usual? There might be an initial surge of joy when the sun finally comes out – but once temperatures really creep up, we can end up feeling physically drained, wondering whether we should follow the Mediterranean’s lead and start introducing daily siestas. So, why does hot weather make us so tired? We asked a doctor to explain… Our bodies have to work harder in the heat “When the weather is hot, our bodies have to work harder to cool themselves down,” says Dr Zulqarnain Shah, medical director at SSP Health and GP at SSP Health practice Colne Road Surgery. “The body’s natural cooling mechanism involves increasing blood circulation near the skin’s surface and promoting sweat production. These physiological changes can lead to fatigue and a feeling of lethargy. It is essential to recognise that this fatigue is a normal response to heat and is typically temporary.” Dehydration Low energy and tiredness are also common when you’re lacking hydration. “Hot weather increases the rate of fluid loss through sweating, leading to dehydration. Dehydration can contribute to fatigue and make you feel even more lethargic,” adds Dr Shah. “To avoid this, it’s important to stay adequately hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, especially water. Aim to drink even when you’re not feeling thirsty, as thirst is not always an accurate indicator of dehydration.” Heat exhaustion “Prolonged exposure to heat can result in heat exhaustion, a condition characterised by symptoms such as heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and muscle cramps. If you experience these warning signs, it’s crucial to move to a cooler environment, drink fluids, and rest. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention promptly,” says Shah. It’s important to pay attention to warning signs, as if heat stroke develops, this is a medical emergency. Shah stresses: “Heat stroke is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical intervention. It occurs when the body’s temperature regulation fails, and the core temperature rises dangerously high. “Symptoms may include a high body temperature (above 39.4C), altered mental state, confusion, rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, and even loss of consciousness. If you suspect heat stroke, call emergency services immediately.” Sleep deprivation The extra tiredness could also be linked to poor sleep, as this can really suffer in the heat. “Hot temperatures can disrupt sleep and lead to poor sleep quality. The body needs to cool down to initiate sleep, and the excessive heat can make it difficult to reach the optimal sleep temperature,” explains Shah. “To improve sleep in hot weather, consider using fans or air conditioning, wearing lightweight and breathable sleepwear, keeping your bedroom well-ventilated, and using lighter bedding.” Pre-existing conditions could get worse Many people living with chronic or long-term health conditions deal with fatigue, which may flare up during heatwaves. “Hot weather can exacerbate symptoms and increase fatigue in individuals with certain chronic health conditions. Conditions such as heart disease, kidney problems, and respiratory issues can be particularly sensitive to heat,” notes Shah. “It’s vital to be aware of your specific health condition and consult with your healthcare provider for personalised advice on managing your symptoms during hot weather. They may recommend staying in cooler environments, adjusting medications, or monitoring your fluid intake more closely.” Read More Airbnb customer furious after being charged extra over dog hair People seek hay fever advice once every three seconds, says NHS England Why is my hay fever so bad at the moment?

TL;DR: As of August 21, get this Eton Elite Executive shortwave radio for $149.99 —

Halloween is a time for getting creative with make-up, but that means your skin can take a real battering. “Halloween make-up can irritate the skin as it often contains more artificial chemicals or heavy metals for glitter than usual make-up products do,” explains Dr Kajal Babamiri, a GP with a specialist interest in skin and wellness at CLNQ. “Since the make-up is often applied more heavily, this can also clog pores, causing more breakouts or irritation.” So how can you get the perfect spooky look – without the horrors of bad skin the next day? Check the ingredients What you put on your skin is important. “We recommend checking the products and looking for fragrance-free or alcohol-free products. You should avoid heavy metals such as lead or cobalt, and also artificial dye,” suggests Babamiri. Wear a primer A primer is a base layer that holds your make-up in place – but it could also have other uses. “One of the most important considerations is to apply a protective base or make-up primer. This adds an additional layer of protection for the skin,” says Babamiri. Many primers, such as the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base, £52 (50ml), report skincare benefits beneath your make-up. Use skincare beauty hybrids Many brands now combine skincare and make-up. Brands like Jones Road, TULA and Glow Hub have been releasing a wide range of skincare-infused make-up products. Beauty expert and Glow Hub founder Tiffany Salmon says: “By using skincare-infused make-up, you can combat some of the potential damage by nourishing your skin with moisturising ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, creating a protective barrier between your skin and make-up.” Hydrate at every step Thick make-up for some can be super drying, particularly in spots like your under eyes. “Locking in moisture is key. Hyaluronic acid will be your skin’s best friend to help keep dryness at bay. You can use a moisturiser with hyaluronic acid already in it or combine it with your moisturisers and gently apply it before your make-up,” says Caroline Barnes, pro-make-up artist and Cetaphil partner. But be sure to “allow your lotions and creams to settle into your skin for about 10 minutes before you start applying your foundation,” to stop your make-up ‘pilling’. Give it a mean clean To keep your skin healthy, you need to remove all of your make-up at the end of the day. “Always opt for a double cleanse when removing lots of heavy make-up,” advises Barnes. “First step, use an oil-based cleanser to loosen and emulsify make-up. Remove pigments with a flannel and warm water. Next step, use a cleanser that suits your skin type to clean your skin. Using two formulas will ensure your skin is left beautifully clean and problem-free.” Read More 5 of the hottest new perfume launches for autumn/winter Consistent lack of sleep may increase risk of future depressive symptoms – study World Osteoporosis Day: The risk factors and early warning signs everyone needs to know about How to support a child with a stammer From colourful gowns to drones, these wedding trends are set take over 2024 Call The Midwife ‘should come with a health warning’

We’ve all either done it or had it happen to us. Liking that thirst trap

Yuya Motomura, a mahjong parlour manager in Japan, had always wanted a way to prove himself to a society he felt looked down on...

If you’re an Android user that’s been waiting for a dedicated ChatGPT app, your wait

A mother has said she still breastfeeds her four-year-old son and has no plans to stop any time soon. Allison Yarrow, the journalist and author behind Birth Control: The Insidious Power of Men Over Motherhood, reportedly told People that she hasn’t stopped breastfeeding because she believes it makes her son dependent on her and vice versa. “We haven’t stopped breastfeeding because breastfeeding works for us,” Yarrow explained to the outlet. “It’s something we do once or twice a day. Sometimes it happens more than that if he’s hurt or sick, but it is a way that we connect and communicate with each other.” Within the first hour of birth, babies should initiate breastfeeding and be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of their lives, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Health officials advise that babies should only be breastfed on demand from six months to “up to two years of age or beyond.” In June 2022, The American Academy of Pediatrics agreed with their recommendation, adding that they supported continued breastfeeding only as long as it was “mutually desired for two years or beyond.” Yarrow advocates for continued breastfeeding, citing multiple benefits: “The research shows that breastfeeding can reduce breast and ovarian cancers. The hormone oxytocin is released when you breastfeed, so it actually feels good.” While breastfeeding is also associated with small neurodevelopmental outcomes in children, according to the Mayo Clinic, is also “associated with a reduction in acute infections as well as chronic adult conditions like obesity, cancer, heart disease and allergies.” “It’s a way of connecting,” Yarrow continued. “And I don’t think I would still be doing it if I didn’t enjoy it. I wouldn’t be just sacrificing myself at this stage. My four-year-old has other food, right? He’s not coming to me for food.” “We still breastfeed because it’s a way to connect with each other. We feel good. It’s intimacy. It’s looking into each other’s eyes. It’s cuddling. It’s having a physical connection. And that strengthens our connection in general,” Yarrow added. Yarrow’s decision to continue breastfeeding well past the age of two is considered taboo to most Americans, but she explained to the outlet that she believes this mentality is more indicative of misogyny in American culture. “Our culture really doesn’t support women doing things with their bodies that they want to be doing, so that certainly extends into breastfeeding,” Yarrow noted. “There’s really poor research about extended breastfeeding. There isn’t a lot of it.” She continued: “And women and people who give birth are really hampered in their quest to breastfeed after their babies are born. We know that the majority of people who give birth want to breastfeed, but most don’t even meet their own breastfeeding goals because accessing lactation support is incredibly difficult.” Yarrow elaborated that poor healthcare and support forces a lot of women to head back into the workplace earlier than they might like. “Often it’s not covered by insurance or Medicaid, and people have to pay out-of-pocket and find somebody to support them in this way when they’re already very vulnerable recovering from childbirth and caring for a newborn,” she said. Read More Mother reacts to video of her breastfeeding taken without her knowledge Woman says she was told not to breastfeed on flight because it would make passengers ‘uncomfortable’ Rumer Willis shuts down criticism over breastfeeding photo with her child: ‘I am the happiest I have been’ Sia says she suffered ‘severe’ three-year depression after Erik Anders Lang divorce David Foster and Katharine McPhee express grief after death of their child’s nanny Mother defended after calling father ‘creepy’ over name choice for newborn daughter

Caribbean households are known for obscure nicknames. Growing up, mine was (and still is) Longers. My dad says I was given this name because it took me ages to start doing anything and I was so forgetful as a child. My parents being separated meant that I would move from house to house every weekend, spending some with my grandparents. Between these moves, I’d always forget my phone, keys, purses, clothes, devices. Halfway through driving home I’d inevitably remember some important item I’d left behind. Eventually my dad implemented a system of checking things before I left the house. He’d shout the item and I’d check it off my mental list. “PHONE?” “CHECK!” “KEYS?” “CHECK!” until I was certain I had everything.

Lenovo is recalling a USB-C laptop power bank due to a risk of it overheating

Global shifts in incomes and populations, geopolitics and climate change are combining to drastically alter the outlook for

Armstrong found success in the 2000s documenting the ups and downs of motherhood on her "Dooce" blog.

SAVE 57%: The TP-Link WiFi extender is down to $14.99 with an on-page coupon at