Seasonal affective disorder during the summer is a real thing. Here’s how to deal with it…
By Karen Kwan
We’ve all heard about (or experienced) the winter blues – or the more serious condition, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), with its symptoms including low mood and changes to your sleep and appetite, triggered by the cold, dark days of the winter season keeping us inside (not to mention getting less natural light and our bodies producing less vitamin D). But summer is all about fun in the glorious sunshine and those long, bright days, right? For many people, it is – but for some, summer blues do, in fact, exist.
If you’ve inexplicably found yourself often feeling glum and just not yourself while almost everyone seems to be thrilled about the few months of sunny weather, you may be experiencing the summer blues. Other symptoms include feelings of hopelessness, changes in your weight, being less interested in activities you usually enjoy, and disrupted sleep.
What’s making you feel this way about the season when summertime usually signifies joy? For one, our routines are often disrupted during the summer season, leading to feelings of stress. If you have kids, they’re out of school and so you’re now juggling their summer activities instead of the usual Monday-to-Friday school routine. Also, perhaps you’re seeing many people enjoying fabulous summer vacations abroad or regular getaways to their cottages, and you don’t have the financial means to enjoy time off in the same way. Being unable to take part in summer activities due to physical limitations can also contribute to feeling lonely and depressed, or perhaps you avoid joining friends at the beach because you feel insecure about your physical appearance.
The good news is that there are ways you can work on managing your summer blues. To start, work on establishing – and sticking to – a summer routine. This includes sticking to your sleep schedule and eating a healthy balanced diet so that you can maintain your mood and energy levels. Here are some other useful tips that may help.
Plan ahead, and budget so you can enjoy time off
You can’t afford a posh cottage rental? So what! Search out cheaper alternatives as ways to enjoy the summer weather locally, such as camping or even just a couple of day trips to a beach or provincial park.
Keep up with your social life
Even when you’re feeling low, resist the urge to isolate yourself – make plans with friends. And those plans don’t all have to involve big barbecues or a pool party if you’re feeling self-conscious – you could get together for some ice cream after dinner in the neighbourhood, or a drink on a patio. Enjoy some of the fireworks shows, or hang out at one of the city’s street festivals.
Keep active though the warm months
Working out can help minimize feelings of depression. You can simply stick to your usual exercise program, but there are also lots of activities you can more easily try out in the summertime compared to the winter. Consider trying something different – it may spark a new passion. Check out pickleball at the new court in your neighbourhood, or drop into the local run crew’s group run, for example. Public pools offer another great way to get your heart rate up – swimming laps, that is – while also keeping cool in the summer heat.
Think about what has helped you in the past
Take some time to consider how you’ve felt over past summer seasons and what contributed to your feeling blue, and what helped to alleviate those feelings of sadness. Was it people’s social media posts showing them enjoying the best summer ever? Then maybe this is a sign to take a break from Instagram. Finally, consider seeking out professional help – if you’ve been struggling with SAD or the summer blues, a psychotherapist or your general practitioner could not only help you get back on track, they would also have insight as to whether your feelings are a symptom of another condition.
KAREN KWAN is a freelance health, travel and lifestyle writer based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter @healthswellness and on Instagram @healthandswellness.
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