Your body works around the clock to maintain a normal internal temperature. When temperatures climb into the 90s—or even above 100°F—and humidity is high, your natural cooling system must work overtime.

You begin sweating more. Blood is redirected toward the skin to release heat, your heart works harder to circulate blood, and high humidity makes it more difficult for sweat to evaporate. As a result, your body becomes less efficient at cooling itself.

All of this requires energy.

Here in Florida, we expect the summers to be hot. But this year, extreme heat isn't just a Florida problem. States like Michigan, New York, and even the Pacific Northwest have experienced temperatures that would have been almost unimaginable just a few years ago.

High temperatures now claim more lives each year than floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes combined. Yet heat remains one of the most overlooked dangers—especially for older adults.

The other day, I stepped outside and immediately felt the heat hit my face like opening the door to a blazing oven. It was 95 degrees in the shade, with humidity so high it felt difficult to breathe. Lately, I've found myself moving from my air-conditioned home to my air-conditioned car and then into my air-conditioned office. Even that short walk can place tremendous stress on the body.