When Summer Isn’t Bright: Recognizing and Coping with Seasonal Depression
- silviatorreslmhc
- Jul 3
- 2 min read
By Patrice Hutson, MHC-LP
Typically, the season of summer comes with the excitement of enjoying outside activities, enjoying the sun going down later in the evening, increased energy and improvement in mood. However, it can also be a time when symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, irritability, and disrupted sleep increase. The "summer blues," officially known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), can occur during the summer months, although it is more commonly associated with the winter season.
If you find yourself dreading the summer months and notice your symptoms worsening during this time, you may be experiencing SAD. Similar to the symptoms seen in the winter, summer-onset SAD can resemble depression, with persistent sadness, loss of appetite, sleep disruption, and feelings of hopelessness occurring nearly every day for at least two weeks. These symptoms may also be accompanied by signs of anxiety, such as irritability and restlessness.
The following are several ways to help cope with summer blues
· Due to the changes that summer brings—longer days and shorter nights—it may help to establish a routine with consistent wake-up and bedtimes.
· Recognize factors that may lead to increased anxious or depressive symptoms.
· Keep a journal to track your mood, or use a mood-tracking app like How We Feel.
· Incorporate mindfulness or meditation into your routine to help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
While these strategies can be helpful, if your symptoms persist or worsen, consider seeking professional support to further explore and address your thoughts and feelings.
References
Clinic, C. (2023, July 12). Yes, you can get SAD in summer. Cleveland Clinic.
Seasonal affective disorder. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Summertime blues? (2022, July 1). Harvard Health.
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