"Avoiding the Heat" and "Building a Body That Can Handle the Heat" (Updated August 3, 2026)
1. Introduction
Recently, through NOTE, the number of people I can talk to about everything from personal stories to casual topics has been gradually increasing. I am truly happy about this. Some people are living healthy lives every day, while others are living with pain, illness, and various worries. Even so, I am very grateful for the ability to interact through this NOTE.
In the connections I have with all of you, I believe it is a very precious place where we can care for each other by saying things like, "It's hot today, so please take care," or "Are you suffering from summer fatigue?"
Hot days continue. So, this time, I have summarized "heatstroke prevention measures you can take daily" while reminding myself to be careful as well. I would be very happy if this article could serve as an opportunity for you, your family, and those close to you to call out to each other, saying, "It's hot today. Let's be careful.".
2. Latest Information (Updated July 23, 2026)
The following is a table summarizing the comparison between the weekly report for the week of July 6, 2026 (7/6–7/12) and the weekly report for the week of July 13, 2026 (7/13–7/19).
From this table, we can read the following:
The number of emergency transportations nationwide increased by approximately 2.4 times in one week.
In Kanagawa Prefecture, it increased from 302 to 736 people, which is an increase of approximately 3.2 times.
Approximately 61% of those transported are elderly, and this percentage has hardly changed.
Regarding the location of occurrence, residences are the most common, which shows that many people get heatstroke at home, not just outdoors in the heat.
The percentage of occurrence locations has not changed significantly, suggesting that when temperatures rise, heatstroke increases simultaneously in all aspects of daily life.
★Let's continue to manage our physical condition★
3. About "Avoiding" and "A Body That Can Handle It"
"Let's be careful on hot days"
This is a phrase we often hear when summer arrives, and it feels easy to use and like we are being careful. Naturally, this is an important warning, so on hot days, measures to avoid the heat such as frequent hydration, using air conditioning, and using hats and parasols are essential.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Environment recommends heat acclimatization (getting your body used to the heat), daily health maintenance, and habits like staying hydrated. Additionally, the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine's clinical guidelines for heatstroke indicate that an individual's own condition—such as advanced age, dehydration, decline in physical function, underlying diseases, and medication use—are important factors involved in the onset of heatstroke.
Considering these together, I believe there are two pillars to heatstroke prevention.
One is "avoiding the heat,"
and the other is "building a body that can handle the heat."
While we cannot change the weather or temperature with our own hands, many things can be adjusted in our daily lives.
For example, eating well, staying hydrated frequently, getting enough sleep and rest, exercising moderately, and gradually getting your body used to the heat before it gets hot (heat acclimatization) are common methods.
Furthermore, hydration status, muscle mass and physical strength, daily activity levels, underlying illnesses and medication status, living environment, an environment where air conditioning can be used appropriately, and support from those around you are also considered to influence your ability to cope with the heat.
Heatstroke can seem to happen suddenly on a hot day. However, in the background, there may be a gradual decline in the "reserve capacity" to handle the heat due to chronic dehydration, aging, or declines in physical strength and bodily functions.
In other words, heatstroke is not simply caused by "being in a hot place," but is considered to occur when the balance between the heat of the environment and the individual's own body and living environment is lost (making it difficult for the body to cope).
That is why it is important not just to drink water in a panic once it gets hot, but to maintain proper hydration, regulate your diet and sleep, exercise, and maintain physical strength on a regular basis. In short, heatstroke prevention is not just a summer initiative.
Avoiding the heat.
And, regularly preparing a body and living environment that can "handle" the heat.
Isn't it the combination of these two things that leads to true heatstroke prevention?
4. List of Related Articles
[Related News]
There is constant news about heatstroke every day. Let's be careful every day.
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There was a discussion that the state of "not sweating" is a sign of dehydration symptoms.
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It seems there is an increasing number of accidents where air conditioners are malfunctioning due to the extreme heat.
The risk of aftereffects is also being reported.
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There are also cases of onset occurring indoors and while mowing the grass. Given this heat, while yard work is important, I hope you can manage by
choosing another day instead.
Even for people with physical strength like professional baseball players, if the heat exceeds the body's limits, they will get heatstroke. That is why heatstroke prevention is not just a matter of "if you train your body, you will be fine." Both avoiding the heat and preparing your body to handle the heat on a daily basis are important.
July 23, 2026
July 22, 2026
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July 17, 2026
[Tips for Countermeasures]
Postscript)
Sansho-san also talks about health tips for the heat-stroke era with the phrase "Ryodo Shosho (Cool Work, Heat Writing)." ♬
July 16, 2026 18:26
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