Maintaining Good Emotional Health This Summer

For many, summer is the season that they look forward to all year. It means long days, warm weather, plenty of sunshine, ice cream, lazy nights, travel and vacations. Somehow life seems a little bit slower and relaxing for most people. While the summer can bring along with it a boost to your mood, it is not a cure-all. Mental health symptoms that you experience can remain consistent in the summer and may even increase surrounding all the planning that can go into orchestrating “summer fun”. The invisible labor and mental load can increase. If you are struggling this summer, you aren’t alone.

Summer and Your Health

Summer heat can create many challenges. Various heat-related illnesses are on the rise during this time of the year, resulting in a proportionate increase in hospitalization and even death. Excessive heat can cause elevated blood pressure, heat stroke, dehydration, cramps, exhaustion, and more.

The impact of extreme heat is often discussed in relation to its impact on physical health. It does not only worsen physical health symptoms, but intense summer heat can take a toll on existing emotional health conditions. Reports validate an increase in psychiatric treatment and hospitalization during the summer months. It is common to experience fatigue and lack of motivation during the summer months. Feelings of irritability during the hot summer days can also trigger aggressive behavior and even self-harm.

Amidst the warmth and abundance of new adventures happening during summer, it can be easy to become overwhelmed and feel you are losing control over your feelings, emotions or moods. Summer can be a time when you may need to pay more attention to your emotional health. As it is a well-known fact that summer heat can significantly affect human behavior and emotions, it is important to be aware of how you feel and function during the summer.

The Emotional Toll of Summer

  • ADHD – Children with ADHD may struggle with more symptoms during summer as they divert away from the school routine that used to provide structure for them. Often, their medications are reduced or discontinued during the summer break, which can worsen symptoms and intensify mood changes.
  • Anxiety – If you have an anxiety disorder, it can actually worsen in the summer. The anticipated increase in social activity and the pressure to spend time outdoors can be a huge stress. The fear of missing out and wanting to do what others are doing can be great sources of anxiety. As the temperature rises, you can be prone to dehydration, causing lightheadedness and dizziness. Severe heat can induce irritability and can exacerbate the feeling of anxiety.
  • Depression – The disrupted or unstructured schedules in summer can be stressful. Vacation, more house work, financial worries, and the sweltering heat can contribute to summer depression. Specific symptoms include irritability, isolation, change in eating and sleeping patterns, and anxiety.
  • Low self-esteem – The pressure to be fit for summer can consume you with body image issues. It can be difficult to enjoy a beach or pool when you think people are staring at you. Body image concerns in summer are a real struggle that can cause you to avoid summertime gatherings and lead to feeling isolated.
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – The changing of the seasons can affect a person’s mood. While SAD is usually experienced during winter due to the shortened days, lack of sunlight and cold weather, this type of depression can affect individuals when the heat and humidity are at their worst during summer. Reverse seasonal affective disorder (RSAD) is a very real emotional health condition with symptoms that include persistent low moods, weight change, loss of pleasure in usual activities, irritability, insomnia, and low self-esteem.
  • Substance and alcohol abuse – Studies show a rise in substance abuse and alcohol addiction during the summer. The general increase in the number of parties, music festivals, and other get-togethers during the carefree season can cause overindulgence due to a surplus of alcohol and substances to partake in, and of course with an excess of prodding from peers.
  • Summer phobia – The summer season can be distressful for people with a phobia or fear of summer-related things. Common specific triggers that some individuals avoid during summer include hay, water, snakes, insects, and sunlight. For one who has summer phobia, it means having a rare, but potent form of anxiety that heightens when conversations revolve around planning for summer activities or holidays.

If you are experiencing an increase in symptoms related to the summer season there can be many benefits to counseling and medication management.

Invest in Your Emotional Health This Summer

One thing that is so difficult about summer is the pressure to have a good time. Your friends and all the people you know seem to be enjoying everything, while you may be left feeling isolated, irritable, sad, and embarrassed. There is no need to worry about how others feel, you don’t need to be happy just because it is summer. Instead, you need to figure out what is triggering your symptoms and find healthy ways to overcome them.

Therapy and medication management can help. Carolina Counseling Services in Cameron, NC contracts with skilled licensed therapists and psychiatric professionals. Find the provider that is right for you with CCS. Call now to get started!