Summer has its expectations to be fun and relaxing, but if you are struggling with summer depression, it isn’t.  For some people, there is a biological cause.  For others, the stressors of summer can pile up and affect their mood.  What makes it more difficult is that you feel like you’re supposed to have a great time.  This blog can help you to make your summer easier and more enjoyable. 

Reasons for Summer Depression:

• SAD: Seasonal affective disorder typically causes depression as the days get shorter and colder, but some are affected in the reverse.  Experts aren’t entirely sure why seasonal changes cause depression, but the longer days, increase in heat and humidity may be a cause.  Common symptoms of summer depression are loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, weight changes, and anxiety.

• Disrupted schedules: Having a reliable routine is often important to cope with depressive symptoms.  During the summer, routines can be disrupted.  If you have children, in the summer you are faced with keeping them occupied the entire day.  If your child is college aged, they may be returning home with their belongings after a long absence.  Going on vacations can also disrupt your work, sleeping, and eating habits.

• Issues with body image: A lot of people feel self-conscious about their bodies and having to change style of clothing with the rising temperatures.  So many summertime gatherings revolve around beaches, swimming, wearing a bathing suit or shorts, some may avoid social situations due to feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed. 

• Financial difficulties: Summers can be expensive at times.  In addition to vacations, if you are a working parent, summer camps and/or babysitting can cause stress. 

• Heat: Some like to bake on the beach, but for others the summer heat can become oppressive.  You may feel inclined to stay in your air-conditioned home, skip outdoor walks, and/or avoid cooking meals at home.

 

Tips for Coping with Summer Depression:

• Seeking help: Talking to a mental health professional can be beneficial or seeking a provider for medication management.  Do not take depression lightly and assume they will go away. 

• Planning: With seasonal depression, the advantage is that you know when it is going to happen.  You can think of what will help prevent summer depression.  Some things to take into consideration can be timing your vacation from work or signing up the children for summer programs.  You can feel in more control heading into the summer if you have things planned ahead of time.

• Sleep hygiene: Going on vacations, attending barbecues, and other activities can encourage you to stay up later than usual.  Not getting enough sleep can serve as a common trigger for depression.  Make sure to get enough sleep, even during these summer months. 

• Exercise: Regular physical activity can help keep depression away.  In the heat, you need to find other ways to remain active.  You can work out earlier in the morning when the heat isn’t as intense.  Another possibility would be joining a gym, if you aren’t going already, to exercise in air-conditioning for the summer months. 

• Protect Yourself: You don’t always have to host all the pool parties and barbecues.  If you are feeling overwhelmed, you can ask another family member or friend to host. 

Needing additional support during the summer? Click here.