With the school year coming to an end, temperatures rising, and fireflies starting to come out at twilight, the summer season has officially begun.
While the long hot days of summer often conjure up visions of relaxation and fun times in the sun, for many people the reality is that this season can also have a negative impact on their mental state. The expectation that you “should” constantly be having a great time, can create a lot of pressure. Rest assured, that even though it may seem like everyone else is living their best, Instagram-worthy lives this summer, many people are also feeling the undesirable effects of the season as well.
Here are some features of summertime that can make the living not so easy and a few ways to proactively protect your mental wellbeing:
Create a Summer Schedule
For many people, the summer months wreak havoc on their normal routine. Children being on summer break from school or college, can result in fuller, noisier homes and extra demands. Going on vacations also results in regular schedules being disrupted. Backyard barbecues and pool parties can lead to later bedtimes and needing to sleep in. Sweltering midday temperatures can require us to switch things up, so we don’t overheat on our lunchtime walk for example. For many people, a disruption to the norm can result in feelings of stress, agitation, anxiety, and depression. This year, take time to assess how the shift to summer will affect your schedule and routines. Then come up with a summer schedule that can become your new norm for the next few months.
Protect Your Sleep
Extended hours of sunlight and disruptions to your regular schedule can result in not getting enough quality sleep. According to the National Institute of Health: “Sleep deficiency can cause trouble learning, focusing, and reacting. It can also make it hard to judge other people’s emotions and reactions. Sleep deficiency can make you feel frustrated, cranky, or worried in social situations.” To ensure you are getting enough sleep during the summer, stick to your regular bedtime and nighttime routine as much as possible. It can also be helpful to check the window coverings in your bedroom to make sure they are blocking out most of the light from the earlier sunrise or later sunset.
Stick to A Summer Fund
Pressure to splurge on vacations and fun summertime activities like concerts, trips to the water park, frequent visits to the ice cream parlor, etc. can lead to worry about over-spending. Adding to the financial demands of the season are pricey summer camps and child care for parents when school is not in session. To help mitigate the anxiety worrying can cause, try setting a “Summer Fun” budget. Allocating a predetermined, responsible amount of money to spend during the summer months, can help you maintain a sense of calm and alleviate stress.
Beat the Heat
While some people love the hot summer sun and can soak up its rays all day every day, for others, sweltering summer weather can take a toll on their physical and emotional health. Spending too much time in the heat can lead to dehydration, feeling tired, and a lack of appetite, which is why a study by the American Physiological Society found that people are more likely to have higher levels of stress hormones in the summer than in winter. Additionally, the summer heat makes it more challenging to spend time exercising outdoors, which can be incredibly beneficial to your physical and mental health. It’s important to resist the urge to stay inside an air conditioned home all day, by finding ways to still get the benefits of being out in nature without overheating. Getting out early or later in the day for your walk or workout, will ensure you do not roast in the strong midday sun. Spending time by a body of water, such as an ocean, lake, or pool, when possible, allows you to cool off when you get too warm.
This summer, keep your cool by protecting your mental health. If you are struggling with anxiety or depression due to summer stress, the team at Embrace Psychiatric Wellness Center can help!
Contact our compassionate staff today to learn more:
