Summertime Blues: Seasonal Emotional Disorder in Summer

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) usually strikes people in the winter, when it’s almost dark and gloomy with reduced exposure to daylight. However, some people experience similar symptoms of feeling gloomy and tired during the summer as well. As it happens, lack of sunlight is not always the culprit of the ‘blues’. People can also experience something called the summer blues. Some of the symptoms of SAD can be felt by people in the summer months, when the transition from cold to warm weather can dip the mood in many pressing ways.

If you think you’re experiencing the summer blues or summer seasonal affective disorder, let us tell you what it is and how to deal with the summer blues.

Symptoms of Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder

Changes in temperature have long been associated with associated physiological and psychological changes. When environmental temperature reaches extreme levels, people experience associated physiological changes and these can have a strong impact on the psyche. Extreme low temperatures and cold winters, along with a lack of exposure to sunlight, have been shown to be associated with sad mood and low energy levels for daily activities. Similarly, rising temperatures have been linked to increased irritability and mood swings, says psychologist Geetika Kapoor.

Some of the signs of anxiety to watch out for include:

• Nervousness
• Anxiety
• Changes in appetite
• Low energy levels
• Has trouble focusing
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Feeling hopeless
• Inability to relax
• Staying within yourself
• Less interest in social engagement with others

What causes summer blues?

A major trigger for winter SAD is a drastic decrease in exposure to natural daylight, which is thought to disrupt our body’s internal rhythm. It also inhibits our brain’s ability to process serotonin, a chemical that affects mood. However, even with the abundant sunshine in summer, people tend to feel gloomy. So light is not always the problem.

So what contributes to SAD in the summer? Let’s find out!

1. Interrupted routine

Sticking to a particular routine to instill discipline is said to be essential when managing depression symptoms. But too much heat outside can disrupt our normal routine and disrupt the way we go about our daily lives. So broken routines can be a major cause of the summer blues.

2. Excessive heat outside

The peak summer months always mean intolerable temperatures. This sudden increase in outdoor temperature causes more people to move indoors and this leads to less enjoyment of mood-enhancing exercise. Also, people suffering from mental health problems such as depression, anxiety or schizophrenia notice symptoms aggravated in hot weather.

3. Social pressure

The winter months are the best times to take a winter break and relax indoors. Also, because it’s too cold outside, people avoid wanting to socialize. But as the season moves into summer, people look forward to evenings and people feel that social pressure is taking a toll on their mental health.

How to deal with the summer blues?

Knowing the impact that extreme temperatures can have on us, it is advisable to take care of these changes and proactively prepare to mitigate these effects. Some tactics to try might include:

1. Awareness is key

Build awareness of one’s own individual weaknesses. Everyone is unique in terms of body endurance and stamina. It is helpful to trace one’s history and build acceptance of one’s capacities and thresholds. In this way we can predict and be prepared for future temperature-related changes, the expert thinks.

Also Read: Feeling Sad? Here are 7 signs of seasonal affective disorder to watch out for

2. Practice kindness to yourself and others

Be aware of temperamental changes among family members and work colleagues. Human beings exist in groups. All individuals influence others. Therefore, we need to look at how others are being affected by extreme weather temperatures. We all need to work towards regulating the emotional impact on ourselves as well as others around us.

3. Consider treatment for existing psychiatric illness

People who have been identified as experiencing psychiatric illness will be more vulnerable to extreme temperatures and should be in contact with their doctors and therapists about precautions and changes in the course of treatment if necessary, the expert suggests.

4. Provide physical comfort

Deliberately maintaining comfortable temperatures in rooms and environments can go a long way toward mitigating the negative impact of extreme heat. If the heat outside is bothering you, try to stay indoors in cooler temperatures and only go outside when it’s urgent. Try to maintain a cool environment inside with the help of devices like air conditioners.

5. Ensure adequate fluid intake

Keeping yourself hydrated and well-nourished can help regulate physical comfort and energy. A common physiological effect of rising temperatures is water loss due to increased sweating. So, to compensate for water loss, drink more fluids every day in those months.

6. Pay attention to what you wear

Some fabric materials help regulate body temperature better than others. Wear breathable, lightweight fabrics such as cotton or muslin that allow for air movement. Also, if you are going out, make sure you wear clothes that cover your body to avoid any skin problems that can also cause anxiety.