Posted: Jun 14, 2010 2:43 pm
Jack Rawlinson wrote:orpheus wrote:
I'm the same. I discussed this with a very experienced and knowledgeable psychiatrist here in NYC, and he said that it is no joke - such a condition really does exist.
Yep, I wasn't joking. I find heat really enervates me. I sweat easily and I get uncomfortable when I do. Humidity kills me but even too much dry heat will make me screw my eyes up, give me headaches and just generally bring me down. I don't like bright light. I HATE flies. Winter is a joy for me because it keeps me cool - I actually enjoy the sensation of being a little cold; it makes me feel buzzy, alert and alive. I like dark nights because you can get cosy around a fire; crack a bottle of something warming; eat hearty, comforting food. It's just so much more pleasant to me than coping with heat and glaring sun. I love getting warm under a thick duvet. I love winter sports, and snow. I don't think anything makes me feel more glad to be alive than being first to the top of a mountain on a cold, crisp winter morning; watching the snow sparkling in the low sun, then launching myself down a steep run into the trees. Winter rocks!
Bah. Looks like it's going to be a scorcher here today.
You took the words right out of my mouth.
I spend the hot months indoors as much as possible. I invested in a good air conditioner, and I keep it running pretty much continuously. Expensive, but I can find no other way to make it through the summer in New York. When I have to go out, I try to move slowly, to keep from heating myself up more. Also, I've found that my discomfort in itself can produce more discomfort, as I'm hating every second of it and tensing up because of it. Consciously trying to relax when heat is unavoidable helps somewhat.
One suggestion my psychiatrist made which actually seems to help: get very dark sunglasses. Sounds like the bright light is harsh for you (as it is for me). Dark glasses help this, of course, and psychologically it somehow allows me to experience the world as somewhat cooler.