You've had a few early nights. You haven't even been drinking that much. So why do you feel absolutely exhausted?
Wellness expert Sonia Rose, founder of Uma Therapy, says the heatwave is only part of the story — and the real culprit might genuinely surprise you.
Your Body Is Quietly Going Into Overdrive
It turns out summer itself is a kind of stress. More daylight, more social plans, more stimulation — your nervous system is absorbing all of it, even when you feel like you're just relaxing.
"Heat itself can slow lymphatic flow, impact hydration at a cellular level and place subtle strain on the nervous system. We are often taking in more — socially, emotionally, environmentally — without giving the body enough space to process it."
In other words, that sun-soaked pub garden is costing you more than just the price of a Pimm's.
The Sneaky Symptom Nobody Talks About
Sonia explains that when your usual routine shifts — even for lovely reasons like holidays and late-night catch-ups — your body quietly loses its internal rhythm. That rhythm controls everything from digestion to hormone balance.
The result? Bloating, fluid retention, skin flare-ups, swollen legs, and that nagging feeling of being slightly out of sync with yourself. Sound familiar?
The Fix Is Simpler Than You Think
Here's the good news: Sonia says you don't need a strict new regime. You just need what she calls small "anchors."
Proper hydration, gentle movement, a moment of genuine stillness each day — these act as signals of safety to your body, helping it stay steady even when life feels delightfully chaotic.
There's also an extra pressure unique to summer that quietly adds to the load: the unspoken expectation that you should be loving every sun-drenched second. If you're not feeling it, that disconnect drains energy too.
So next time someone asks how you're enjoying the heatwave, it's perfectly fine to say: "I'm working on it."
