VeryWell Mind: How to Cope With Summer Anxiety in 2022

Temperatures rise in the summer months—but so can anxiety levels. An online poll carried out by AnxietyCenter.com found that 73% of respondents have more symptoms of anxiety during the summer, and experts believe there are various factors at play.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Most of us probably associate seasonal affective disorder (SAD) with winter, and indeed it’s much more common during the latter part of the year.

But SAD is defined as a type of depression related to changes in seasons, and some people experience it in the spring or early summer, per the National Institute of Mental Health.

Summer-onset seasonal affective disorder is sometimes called summer-pattern SAD or summer depression. Symptoms may include trouble sleeping, poor appetite, weight loss, agitation or anxiety, and increased irritability.

Too Much Sunlight Is Not Good For You

Sunshine is often celebrated for its mood-boosting effects, but some people may become anxious when they get too much sun.

There's a scientific reason for this—too much sunlight switches off the production of melatonin, the hormone that powers the body's natural sleep-wake cycle (known as the circadian rhythm). If someone has summer SAD, they may find it difficult to sleep as much as they need to.

Additionally, hotter temperatures during summer may increase anxiety and irritability in people with summer SAD.

Summer and Climate Anxiety

Climate anxiety is when someone feels nervous or worried regarding the consequences of climate change and its effect on the future of this planet, explains Lagoy.

If you feel anxious about climate change during summer, Lagoy suggests taking part in activities or making lifestyle changes that will make a difference, from switching your vehicle to an electric or clean model to joining a local environmental organization, where you'll meet others who share your concerns.

Lingering COVID-19 Worries

According to a scientific brief released by the World Health Organization (WHO), global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by 25% in the first year of the pandemic, and the long term impact of COVID-19 on mental health services remains to be determined.

Ways to manage COVID-19-related summer anxiety include watching your sleep patterns, staying hydrated and out of the intense sun, and enhancing communications with family and friends, says Winner.

Plus, of course, take all possible safety precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones from infection, such as wearing a mask in large crowds and indoors with people who are unvaccinated ("yes, it is very OK to ask," Winner adds), and when traveling on planes and public transportation.

FOMO

FOMO (fear of missing out) is more than a digital buzzword. A study led by Oxford University in the UK found that feelings of FOMO can have a negative impact on both general mood and overall life satisfaction.

These feelings are exacerbated by increased awareness—through social media—of how our friends and family (and people we don't know but follow online) are spending their time.

Lagoy thinks FOMO increases during the summer because of social media, with many people doing exciting things like traveling and taking vacations, and eagerly documenting every moment on their social platforms.

Simply engaging in social activities with other people will help lessen FOMO during the summer months, Lagoy says.

Summer anxiety can come in different forms, but it's helpful to remember that there are always ways to cope.

Read the full article here!

Reflection:

What are your plans for the summer?

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