When temperatures rise, many seek to maintain their habits despite the fatigue that sets in. Sport, daily tasks or work pace: the desire to maintain everything can nevertheless increase stress and irritability. During the show
Great good for you broadcast on June 25, 2026, Professor Antoine Pelissolo recalled that agreeing to slow down is far from being a sign of weakness.
The psychiatrist, head of the department at the psychiatric center of the Albert-Chenevier hospital in Créteil, attached to the Henri-Mondor University Hospital, explains that the priority is to adapt one’s pace to the constraints imposed by the heat, both to preserve one’s body and one’s psychological balance.
Why slowing down becomes a natural response to heat
This mental health specialist advises everyone “to do moment by moment, to concentrate on your well-being of the moment, of the hour that comes, of the day that comes”.
To illustrate his point, Antoine Pelissolo invites us to observe the animals. “We advise you to rest a lot. Moreover, we spoke with veterinarians recently: if we observe the behavior of animals, especially cats. If you have one, you see right now, that he sleeps all the time because it’s a way of preserving himself.”.
The idea is not to spend the whole day in bed…”I’m not going to recommend this to everyone because obviously we can have activities. But allowing yourself to rest is essential“.
Wanting to remain efficient can become counterproductive
During heatwaves, some people still continue to maintain their usual level of activity, particularly in terms of sport. The psychiatrist believes that this pressure is not always justified. “We don’t have to follow our sporting performance curve, obviously. And certain behaviors reflect, I believe, unfortunately, a form of addiction to sport in certain people.”.
Bigorexia, also known as sporoolism, is an addiction to physical exercise. This behavioral addiction constitutes a real psychiatric disorder that can have serious consequences. It manifests itself as an uncontrollable urge to play sports, without paying attention to one’s own physical limitations, fatigue or potential injuries, leading to a gradual decline in interest in other activities.
Support from loved ones also counts during a heatwave
Beyond rest, Antoine Pelissolo recalls that episodes of heat can accentuate the feeling of isolation in certain people. He encourages people to maintain ties with those around them. “Allow yourself to slow down, support each other, because there is also an effect of isolation which can be aggravating, and therefore listen more to each other, obviously help each other..”
The psychiatrist finally insists on the importance of this solidarity. “The social factor can be decisive, because it is something that we must face together.”.