Summer is almost here! That means sun fun and no responsibilities, right?! Okay let’s come back to reality. Yes, we can make the occasional effort for some fun during the summer and even a relaxing trip but that doesn’t mean the whole summer is fun and games. With work and kids, the balance can get hectic and signs of seasonal and/or summer depression is real.
How are you supposed to feel like its summer when you’re miserable and everyone else on social media, a neighbor, or extended family is planning on nothing but exiting adventures and water craze it seems about every day?
SAD or seasonal affective disorder effects 4% to 6% of the US population. Usually, we think that just the winter season or shorter days are what causes seasonal depression, but also it is summer that can cause this depression. About 10% of people get the opposite effect of summer provoking these depression symptoms.
Symptoms of Summer Depression can include: loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, weight loss, and anxiety.
Routine is going to make or break you. During summer, routine can be disrupted with the kids being out of school and at home more. It can definitely be stressful, keeping your kid in your care all day and entertaining them. Also, your older college kid will probably be coming home for the summer. Even with no kids, summer depression can occur in anyone, it can even be biological. Vacations can disrupt your work, sleep, and eating habits, which can contribute to summer depression.
Summer clothes can make you self-cautious. With the swimsuits, shorts, dresses, and flip flops it can be intimidating. Because of the awkward feeling of your body image in a smaller amount of clothes, you might be inclined to avoid socializing with others out of embarrassment.
Financial Worries
Vacations, water parks, amusement parks, and many other summer activities can put a strain on your wallet. If you are working, you probably need to put your young child in summer camp or get a babysitter.
The heat can be dangerous and a burden, making you want to stay away from the sun and humidity. Which could make you want to stay inside and hide in your air-conditioned house.
All of these contribute to summer depression, here’s how to take all these miserable symptoms and heal from them.
Get help Getting help can only benefit you. Talking with a therapist, doctor, psychologist, or social worker about your feelings and even getting on prescribed medicine for depression. Don’t take symptoms for depression lightly, it’s good to get help when you can.
Plan Ahead
You know when this depression is coming so plan ahead before summer. If you need to put your child in summer camp, do it early so you can get more time to yourself or work. Take days off and plan your vacation early to not stress about timing and plan early to take control of your time and mental health.
Sleep
Yes, there are going to be lots of distractions or plans that might mess up your sleep schedule. Plan to get a good amount of sleep and go to bed early. Also, take naps if you have more time on your hands!
Exercise and Diet
Physical exercise has been proven to help depression. If it’s too hot outside, plan on working out inside. Try exercising in the morning or later at night. If a membership is too expensive, maybe just try it for a couple months! Don’t make yourself unhappy with a strict diet. Eat moderately, drink lots of water, and don’t worry about fitting into old bathing suits or clothes from the year before.
Worry Less
Don’t be obligated to hosting or planning a family vacation or holiday. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t give into the stress.
Don’t forget, you are not alone and many struggle with seasonal depression and mental health. Beat the heat and plan ahead for yourself to not strain your seasonal depression.
