{"id":185391,"date":"2025-06-15T03:46:10","date_gmt":"2025-06-15T03:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/185391\/"},"modified":"2025-06-15T03:46:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-15T03:46:10","slug":"five-ways-to-combat-summer-seasonal-depression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/185391\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Ways To Combat Summer Seasonal Depression"},"content":{"rendered":"

Keeping it real\u2014I wish I was someone who loved summer<\/a>. Growing up, I vacationed in New Hampshire and looked forward to funnel cake on the boardwalk, lazy days on the lake, sugary cereal, and a late bedtime. But now? I feel pressure to pack my social calendar, live my best life (in comparison to social media), and look hot while doing it. Not in the literal sense, because there is a permanent pool of sweat on my upper lip that I just wish wasn\u2019t there. Ugh.\u00a0I never realized that seasonal depression is just as valid now as it can be in colder months.<\/p>\n

Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD for short) is often associated with winter, but for many, summer seasonal depression is very real. If you find yourself not enjoying activities<\/a> you normally do and in just a general crummy mood that you can\u2019t shake once the weather heats up, you\u2019re not alone. Ahead, I chatted with psychologist Dr. Hannah Holmes<\/a> to get her take on summer SAD, plus practical advice for combatting the seasonal blues.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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How do I know I have Summer SAD?<\/p>\n

If you look around and see others enjoying the season while you\u2019re barely making it through, you may be experiencing summer seasonal depression.\u00a0\u201cAs days get warmer and longer, many people feel a renewed sense of energy and optimism,\u201d Dr. Holmes shares. \u201cFor a person with summer SAD, this contrasts sharply with their own low mood and lack of energy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Summer SAD can also be an isolated experience, which can make it even more difficult to cope. \u201cPeople often discuss how important it is to make the best of cold winter days, such as leaning into winter sports or savoring cozy, indoor activities\u2014yet we assume that this comes easily and naturally in the summer,\u201d she explains.\u00a0If you\u2019re feeling low, the name of the game is to treat yourself with extra care, grace and kindness this summer. <\/p>\n

Here are other symptoms of summer SAD, according to the Center for Addiction and Mental Health.<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0Sad and low mood
\u2022\u00a0Feeling anxious
\u2022\u00a0Feeling agitated
\u2022\u00a0Reduced appetite
\u2022\u00a0Weight loss
\u2022\u00a0Difficulty sleeping and insomnia<\/p>\n


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How to Combat Summer Seasonal Depression<\/p>\n

If you find yourself feeling anxious, drained, and low this season, you\u2019ve come to the right place. Here are Dr. Holmes\u2019 tips for getting through the season gently.<\/p>\n

Curate Your Social Media<\/p>\n

As they say, comparison is the thief of joy. It can be so easy to get sucked into a social media scroll and start comparing your season to others. \u201cRemember that you may be imagining other people\u2019s summers to be much more blissful or exciting than they really are,\u201d Dr. Holmes says. \u201cWhen you see pictures of a friend\u2019s vacation on social media, remember that they are sharing a curated set of images meant to show the best moments of their trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a timely reminder. Social media is a highlight reel, especially when it comes to travel or vacation content. \u201cThe photos don\u2019t capture behind-the-scenes jet lag, travel hiccups, or the hundreds of emails they had to deal with after their trip,\u201d Dr. Holmes continues.\u00a0To keep comparison at bay, curate your feed so you\u2019re only seeing content that uplifts you, and limit your scrolling time if you can. \u201cScrolling social media is a passive, sedentary activity. Try to replace scrolling with something tactile, like drawing, organizing a drawer, or stretching,\u201d Dr. Holmes recommends. \u201cTake a walk and listen to an interesting or inspiring podcast. These active, physical experiences are grounding and energizing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Focus on What Your Body Can Do<\/p>\n

\u201cWarm weather and summer activities means more skin-baring clothes, like shorts and swimsuits, which can be intimidating for anyone who already struggles with body image issues,\u201d Dr. Holmes shares. I know for me, body shaming gremlins run rampant in my mind once it gets hot outside.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring this vulnerable season, be especially thoughtful about the content you consume,\u201d Dr. Holmes suggests. \u201cFollow body-positive social media accounts, and limit exposure to content that brings up negative feelings about your body.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shifting your focus away from what your body looks like can also be helpful. \u201cFocus on what your body can\u00a0do\u00a0and\u00a0feel,\u201d Dr. Holmes urges. \u201cPractice gratitude for the way your body supports you.\u201d <\/p>\n

Dress Comfortably<\/p>\n

If you struggle with body image, it can be a challenge getting dressed every morning when the weather is hot. Dr. Holmes suggests practicing bravery and acknowledging your courage. \u201cIf summer attire <\/a>makes you want to hide your body or withdraw from social activities, make it a priority to gently challenge your fears and take small risks, so you can build your confidence over time,\u201d Dr. Holmes suggests. <\/p>\n

See if you can find at least one summer outfit you feel confident and comfortable in, and let that be your summer uniform. It will take the guesswork out of getting ready, and lower your stress in the process. <\/p>\n


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Stay Cool<\/p>\n

In a season defined by heat, it\u2019s so important to stay cool. This isn\u2019t just for your physical health, but for your mental health as well. \u201cWe know that heat and humidity can cause irritability and frustration,\u201d Dr. Holmes shares. \u201cIf you find yourself struggling with summer weather, be deliberate about making the best of the sunshine and heat and staying cool while you do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

If this means that outdoor activities make you want to run for the hills, make peace with being an indoor cat for the season. \u201cPrioritize activities that allow you to cool off like the beach or the pool, or skip going outside altogether,\u201d Dr. Holmes suggests. \u201cSimply enjoy doing indoor, air-conditioned activities.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are plenty of indoor activities<\/a> you can do this summer, and there\u2019s no need to beat yourself up for skipping the outdoors. I\u2019ve been loving cozy hobbies like paint by number, reading, and sewing. All in the AC!<\/p>\n

Travel Mindfully<\/p>\n

Even if you have a vacay in the books this summer, it\u2019s ok (and normal!) to feel overwhelmed and anxious by it. Dr. Holmes suggests giving yourself ample time to recharge after a vacation. \u201cVacations are fun, but they are not necessarily stress-free; they disrupt your normal routine, which can throw off your equilibrium and affect your mood,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re able, ease into your vacation, then ease out of it. \u201cIf you know your mood dips in the summer, be thoughtful about giving yourself time to adjust and recalibrate after travel or other activities that disrupt your typical routine,\u201d Dr. Holmes says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While summer is often painted as a season of ease and joy, it\u2019s important to remember that not everyone feels their best during the warmer months. If you\u2019re struggling with summer seasonal depression, know that you\u2019re not alone and that your experience is valid. By protecting your peace and prioritizing rest, it\u2019s possible to find your own version of summer that feels grounded, nourishing, and true to you. Just remember to take good care\u2014and know that fall is right around the corner.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Keeping it real\u2014I wish I was someone who loved summer. Growing up, I vacationed in New Hampshire and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":185392,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4317],"tags":[105,218,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-185391","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mental-health","8":"tag-health","9":"tag-mental-health","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114685332453259053","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/185391","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=185391"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/185391\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/185392"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=185391"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=185391"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=185391"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}