Summertime Anxiety Is a Real Thing: 3 Ways to Cope

When you first think of summer, what comes to mind? For many, it’s plenty of sunshine, warmer temps, and time outside. Perhaps vacation and travel also top the list. Gardening, backyard barbecues, and time at the pool could be your favorites. Summer is often a time of recreation and socializing.

But for some, summer isn’t necessarily a carefree, relaxing time. In fact, if you’ve experienced increased anxiety during the summer, you’re not alone. This is counterintuitive to how we typically think of summer. After all, shouldn’t there be less to worry about in the summer? But there are a number of reasons your anxiety can increase.

What Contributes to Summertime Anxiety?

Just as the amount of sunlight correlates with wintertime seasonal affective disorder, it can also interfere with your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle in the summer.

In the winter, too little sun often leads to depression and low energy. This is because natural light stimulates the area of the brain associated with circadian rhythm. When you don’t get enough natural light, your circadian rhythm becomes off-kilter, leading to the symptoms of SAD (seasonal affective disorder).

When your body receives more natural light, as happens in the summer, your sleep-wake cycle can also be interrupted. Your body makes less melatonin, which means your sleep is often more fitful. You may experience insomnia or just wake up not feeling rested.

Weather Woes

Anxiety brings with it a plethora of physical symptoms. When your body is in the fight, flight, or freeze mode, you often experience sweating, flushing, and overall physical discomfort.

Unfortunately, the increased temperatures of summer can produce these same physiological effects. Add humidity into the mix and it’s even worse.

So even if you’re not actually experiencing anxiety, your body associates these physical sensations with anxiety. Because the brain and body are so deeply connected, a physical reaction to summer temps can easily trigger feelings of anxiety.

How to Beat Summer Anxiety

Even though you can’t control the weather, there are steps you can take to manage your summer anxiety.

1. Light Control

In order to try to keep your circadian rhythm more balanced, do as much as you can to control when and how much you’re exposed to sunshine and natural light.

If you can get outdoors in the morning, that is the best time to allow your body, eyes, and brain exposure to blue light. Temperatures might also be cooler in the morning, helping you avoid other summer anxiety triggers.

Likewise, employ light-blocking curtains in your home. You can draw them in the early evening in order to give your brain a few hours to ease into a better sleep cycle. If you have a basement, this is another great place to hang out, both for the light control and the cooler atmosphere.

2. Temperature Control

We’ve mentioned a few ways to avoid exposure to warmer temps, such as getting out earlier in the day and seeking out your basement or other cooler rooms.

Of course, drawing upon the modern miracle of air conditioning is another great way to help reduce summer-related anxiety triggers. It may be worth paying a bit more in electric costs in order to take care of your emotional needs. A dehumidifier can also be helpful, along with using fans.

Do other things that help keep you cool as well. Drink lots of iced beverages, spend time in a pool or at a lake, and wear lightweight clothing.

3. Anxiety Management

No matter what time of year it is, you can always draw upon the tried and true anxiety management techniques of deep breathing, mindfulness, and exercise. Using these along with summer-specific anxiety coping methods can take you a long way.

If you find that your summer anxiety continues to persist and become more than you can handle on your own, please consider reaching out for anxiety therapy. I’ve worked with many people such as yourself over the years. You’re not alone.