While summer is often thought of as fun in the sun, it doesn’t mean the season is all carefree. Especially for those who are facing challenges or struggling with summer depression, this time of year can be draining on a person’s mental health.
Summer Wellness Tips
With the beautiful weather and abundance of events, summer can be a great time to revitalize your mental health. Our wellness and recovery center is sharing some summer well-being tips to help you make the most of this time of year and give your mental health in the summer the boost it needs.
Get Outside
One of the best parts of summer is the nice weather. Take advantage of the sun and get outside. Not only is there a lot to do, but just spending regular time in nature has been shown to decrease depression, reduce anxiety, and improve mood.1
Check Out Local Events
Another one of the benefits of summer is the full calendar of community events. Instead of struggling with boredom and letting negative thoughts creep in, these summer events can keep you busy and offer a good distraction. Grab a friend or go by yourself and check out the festivals, concerts, markets, and activities in your area.
Spend Time with Others
Another way to boost your mental health in the summer is to make a point of spending time with others. Social isolation and loneliness can lead to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide, but with so much going on in the summer, it is easy to find things to do with friends as well as meet new people. 2 Especially after months of COVID lockdowns and social distancing guidelines, it is important to reconnect with others if you can do so safely. Do not be afraid to put yourself out there and join a class, team, or group to make new friends.
Try Something New
Along with the full schedule of community events, summer makes going outside easier and opens the door to a lot of new activities. Use this summer to try your hand at something new. Some good summer activities for mental health include hiking, outdoor yoga, photography, and even dance classes in the park. Not only will trying something new keep you busy, but also you may find a new passion.
Plan A Trip
Over the summer, a lot of people will go on vacation. While fun, there are also several mental health benefits of vacations. Your trip may help you de-stress, reduce depression, decrease anxiety, avoid burnout, and improve your overall well-being.3 Your vacation doesn’t have to be elaborate or far away either. You could also just take a few vacation days for a staycation.
Exercise Outside
Instead of doing the same exercise routine in the gym, the beautiful summer weather gives you more choices when it comes to getting active. Sign up for a 5k or fun run, join a recreational sports team, go for a walk at a nearby trail, or try an exercise class in the park. These outdoor activities can not only make finding the motivation to exercise easier but also make getting active more fun. With regular exercise, you can also reduce feelings of anxiety and depression while boosting your mood.4
Maintain a Good Sleep Schedule
While it can be tempting to throw your normal sleep schedule out the window in the summertime, this can wreak havoc on your mental health. One way to maintain good summer health and wellness is to make a point of following a good sleep routine and schedule this summer and you may actually see your mental health improve.5 If you are struggling with how to care for your mental health in the summer and are not seeing any improvements, it may be time to ask for help. At Vertava Health, our mental health professionals and therapists are here to guide you on your journey to heal. Learn more about how to manage your mental health and improve your overall well-being by contacting us today.
