Ahh, summer. The days are longer, the weather is warmer, school is out (with the exception of summer courses), and stress is at a minimum. Right?
Ideally, yeah. School kids, from elementary school through college, are sort of trained to believe that summer is the best. Vacations, no homework, just free time at the pool or beach or up in the mountains. Or, as you get older, time to maybe get a summer job and go to bonfires and parties in the evenings.
We think of summer as the happy months and winter as the sad months, the months that bring on the seasonal affective disorder (SAD) with those cold, dark days. How could summer be depressing?
WebMD lists some causes of summertime SAD as disrupted schedules, body image issues, financial worries, and warmer weather. Not to mention the FOMO - we see everyone on Insta and Snapchat having the time of their lives on vacation and begin to wonder "Why am I not having a good time?". I've gathered up some ways to beat the heat this summer and help keep SAD from taking the fun out of summer.
Those with depression know that having set schedules can really help distract from day to day symptoms - I know it helps me when things get bad. When classes end, that schedule disappears and is likely replaced by work or other activities. With this new schedule only lasting a few months, it can be hard to adjust to it when you know that classes start up again in the fall. Not to mention that vacations will alter your sleep, work, and eating habits - all contributing to summer SAD. My suggestion? Try finding a few things that you can do at the same time every day - from waking up at the same time each day to enjoying a cup of coffee or reading for a few minutes, a little piece of your day that can be pre-planned could help stave off the blues.
Body issues are another strong factor in summertime depression. Many people feel self-conscious as the weather warms up and brings out bikinis, crop tops, shorts, and other warm-weather clothing that typically shows a little more than the layers we pack on in cooler months. Everyone preaches body positivity these days but feeling comfortable in your own skin is so much harder than a hashtag. Bikinis aren't your thing? Don't feel bad for rocking a tankini, a one piece, or a shirt and trunks at the pool and beach - feeling comfortable could make the difference in your mood.
Financial worries are on our minds all year round, but summer can seem especially daunting. Fall semester tuition is due soon on top of rent, bills, textbooks - and the summer jobs just never seem to add up. Helpful apps like Mint or even printable budgets from Pinterest can help you get your summer money in the right place - and maybe even save some up some cash for new gear for the fall semester.
The heat of summer can get us down just as much as the snow in winter. You might find yourself hiding out in your air-conditioned apartment, ordering UberEats because it's too hot to cook, and not working out as much due to the heat. While the heat can be oppressive, try finding a cool shady spot in a local park, taking a walk through some downtown shops, and making cooler dishes like salads and sandwiches at home.
Finally, FOMO. This time of year we see more and more vacation pictures, smiling couples, delicious food, and amazing travel adventures all over our social media. I wrote an article last month about the way Insta-FOMO ruins our lives and this is even truer in summer. It sounds cliche but seriously, put down the phone. No one's lives are as perfect as they seem on social media! Close Insta and make some plans with your friends or loved ones and get your own great pics!
To cap off: summertime depression is real and can be a drag when we want to have fun in the sun. If the dog days of summer start having stronger effects on you, talk to your doctor about treatment options. There's no shame in feeling sad when the sun's out, but we shouldn't have to settle for SAD while others enjoy this time of year!
