Rising temperatures are being linked to increased anxiety and mental health challenges, according to emerging research and the experiences of individuals dealing with anxiety disorders. Lauren Murphy, a 34-year-old from Southampton, describes how extreme heat exacerbates her existing anxiety and agoraphobia, a condition characterized by intense fear of feeling trapped. She reports that high temperatures trigger panic responses, including physical sensations such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness that reinforce her anxiety symptoms in a difficult-to-break cycle.
Murphy’s experience reflects broader patterns identified in recent research. A 2022 study from the University of Bath estimated that approximately 4.6% of people in the UK have climate anxiety, a form of mental distress now recognized by professional bodies and the NHS. A 2025 study noted that young people and women are among the groups most at risk for climate-related anxiety.
Professor Ciara MaCabe, a mental health specialist at the University of Reading, explains the physiological mechanisms at work. Heat stress and anxiety produce similar physiological responses in the body, meaning that physical symptoms triggered by temperature can be interpreted as anxiety symptoms, which then trigger actual anxiety responses. As heatwaves become more frequent, more individuals are expected to experience this phenomenon.
Murphy has developed coping strategies to manage her anxiety during hot weather, including journaling, tapping techniques, breathing exercises, yoga, and spending time in nature. She advocates for those experiencing anxiety to seek help and reframe their approach to fear. The UK has been experiencing multiple heatwaves in recent months, with a drought declared across large parts of England and Wales.
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