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Is Summer Affecting Your Mental Health? (Part 1)
Summary: The heat, humidity, sunlight, and social and financial pressures of summer can lead to negative feelings and behaviors that could be signs of serious mental health conditions. This article explains how summer can affect mental health in different ways and why it’s a good idea to seek counseling for support.
Nutley Family Service Bureau’s (NFSB) Mental Health Services provides counseling and psychiatric services for individuals, couples, and families. Immediate appointments are available in-person and virtual with English- and Spanish speaking counselors. NFSB is nationally accredited through COA, a service of Social Current. Our vision is a community where mental well-being is an integral part of life. This article is part of an ongoing educational series focused on understanding and improving your mental health.
The change in seasons can have a real impact on mental health. During cold weather months, many people experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that’s more serious than the run-of-the-mill “winter blues.” On average SAD lasts for months.
However, the heat, humidity, sunlight, financial strain, and social pressures of summer can trigger negative feelings and behaviors that shouldn’t be dismissed as the “summertime blues.” Although “summer SAD” is not as common, it can be just as debilitating.
“We tend to think of summer as a happy time when people can relax and go on vacation,” said Kristen Petullo, LCSW, Assistant Director of Outpatient Services at NFSB. “Seasonal affective disorder is just one example of a mental health condition that can be equally prominent in the summer.”
Let’s discuss different ways summer can affect your mental health and how counseling can help.
1) High Temperatures
This may seem obvious, but high temperatures can be draining. Summer heat can lead to dehydration, physical discomfort, fatigue, and emotional stress.
In fact, hyperthermia, a condition where the body’s temperature is higher than normal, can trigger irritability, anxiety, and depression. For people who already have these conditions, hyperthermia can make them worse. Elevated body temperature can also affect brain function and disrupt sleep.
“Research has also shown that hyperthermia can aggravate attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children and adults,” Kristen said. “The physical discomfort caused by intense heat can contribute to reduced attention span, difficulty concentrating, feelings of restlessness, and other symptoms.”
2) Financial Stressors
Everyone loves summer vacation, right? Unfortunately, the high cost of travel can be a stressful burden for many. According to a study from Intuit Credit Karma, 43% of Americans are skipping vacations this summer due to financial stress.
Similarly, summer childcare and camps for working parents can easily make summer far more expensive than the holiday season. The stress is only compounded by the logistics of picking up and dropping off kids when childcare and camp hours don’t align with work hours. Parents often need to find additional care to fill the gaps.
Summer is also a season of higher utility costs, home improvement projects, and a surge in social activities and entertainment. The cumulative costs of summer can contribute to anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and even substance use.
3) Not Enough Sleep
Did you know that in New Jersey, the average amount of daylight in June is about 15 hours compared to just nine hours and 15 minutes in December? That gives you extra time outdoors but less time to wind down and get into a deep sleep.
“With daylight extending later in the evening, circadian rhythms can shift, making it harder to adjust and get a good night’s sleep,” Kristen said. “Quality of sleep, and lack of sleep, have a direct impact on so many areas of our lives, including mental health.”
When you struggle to align your internal clock with the day-night cycle, poor sleep can contribute to anxiety and depression. Because sleep plays a role in emotional regulation, you may also notice irritability, mood swings, and stronger-than-normal emotional reactions.
How Counseling Can Help
“Counseling can help you become aware of your triggers,” Kristen said. “You can talk about things you’re struggling with in a non-judgmental environment and get a sense of why you feel the way you do. Your therapist will provide extra support and suggest coping strategies to process your feelings, manage stress, and develop healthier behaviors.”
In the next article, we’ll discuss three more ways that summer can affect your mental health, including body image issues, changes in routine, and medication adherence.
If you feel like summer is affecting your mental health, contact NFSB today for counseling and support. Remember, you don’t have to be in a crisis to seek help. Immediate appointments are available, and we’ll always respect your privacy. Call 973-667-1884 extension 1 to schedule an appointment.
