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Summer and Mental Health
- Aug 2, 2021
- 4 min read
It’s Mental Monday! Let’s Talk…summer and how it affects mental health.
Summer has arrived! Unfortunately for those of us in the UK, it means temperamental weather from beautifully bright days basking in the sunshine, to the help-me-I’m-melting humidity, to angry thunderstorms.
But why do most of us love summer?
*inserts Olaf meme*
With good weather comes more outdoor activities, like going for a walk, listening to birdsong, shopping in the Highstreet without worrying about the rain making your Primark bag soggy and your lovely new clothes (even though you went just for socks) spilling out into a puddle. Whether you are out and about in the sunshine, strolling through your local park, or chilling out in your garden, summer is an excuse to take that moment to relax and be in the present.
How does it impact our mental health?
First of all, our bodies need a healthy amount of sunlight (make sure to use UVA and UVB protection!) to regulate serotonin and soak in Vitamin D. However, in people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), where depressive symptoms are more apparent and severe during the winter, they may feel better in the summer months. One theory behind this is that the lack of sunlight in the winter might stop a part of the brain (the hypothalamus) from working properly. This affects the production of melatonin (sleep hormone) and serotonin (mood hormone) as well as the body’s circadian rhythm.
For more information on SAD and possible treatments, click here.
Being outdoors in the lovely sunshine makes people become happier and more positive to be around, this in turn can be infectious. Surrounding yourself with positive people will make your mental health better.
What are some ways to make the best of the summer?
The pandemic has been hard on all us, but especially on our mental health. Whilst restrictions have lifted, cases are still rising, please continue to be sensible by social distancing and wearing your masks around strangers and wherever possible. With that said, you can still have fun and boost your mood!
Go for a walk:
o Go alone or with a friend
o Stroll around the corner and back
o Do laps around your garden
o Walk the dog
o Visit your local park
o Listen to music whilst you walk (be aware of your surroundings, though!)
o Move at your own pace
Immerse yourself in nature
o Visit National Trust sites (covid permitting)
o Learn about animals
o Birdwatch (no, really!)
o Listen to birdsong
o Go fruit-picking
o Plant some plants and get gardening!
o Visit a zoo that supports conservation
o Go for a picnic in your local park
o Take a trip to the beach and listen to the sea
Support your local shops
o Take a trip to your local shops or Highstreet
o Get your groceries/necessities
o Treat yourself (within your budget to do so)
Get into baking/cooking
o Try a new recipe or follow a classic one
o Eat a delicious treat from your nearest bakery/café
Take up a new hobby
o Drawing/painting
o Makeup
o Making videos
o Puzzles
o Arts & Crafts (e.g. knitting/scrapbooking)
Exercise
o Follow free YouTube videos (depending on your fitness level)
o Stretches
o Get into running, jogging, cycling, powerwalking, or swimming
o Yoga/Pilates
o Dancing (e.g. classes, free online videos – or just blare you music and go for it!)
o Football, table tennis, cricket, basketball, skateboarding (play in the park/garden)
For further information, help or support:
There is a lot of useful information on the NHS website. Speaking to your GP can point you in the right direction of what support or services you may require.
Mind covers a range of mental health conditions and provides information on where to get help, treatments and alternative therapies. Confidential and understanding, Mind works with local partners to provide mental health services to as many people as possible.
Telephone: 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm Monday to Friday) or text 86463 Email: info@mind.org.ukWebsite: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines
Confidential, judgement-free emotional support for those struggling. They cannot help directly (i.e. provide treatment or diagnosis) but they can, however, point you in the right direction for local therapies and support groups. They are simply someone to talk to about what you are going through, which you can do through the phone, a letter or an email for free at any time of day or night – and can be anonymous if you prefer.
Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours a day, free to call) Email: jo@samaritans.orgWebsite: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
For children and young people up to the age of 19, Childline offers private and confidential services. Whether it’s over the phone, through email or their 1-2-1 counsellor chat online, Childline is a free service to talk about any problem (big or small).
Telephone: 0800 1111 Website: https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/contacting-childline/
The UK’s first 24/7 text service. Free on all major mobile networks, anytime, for anyone in crisis. If you need immediate help and are struggling to cope, Shout is a place to go.
Telephone: 85258 Website: https://www.giveusashout.org/about-us/contact-us/
*Theses are but a few of the many support groups and charities. Help is out there if you need it. It may feel like it, but you are not alone.
Please share this as millions could scroll past and ignore the post, but if there is a chance that this can make a difference to just one person, that is a chance we must take. Find us on Instagram. Let’s raise awareness, bury the stigmas and encourage people to make the conversation louder. To learn about more mental health conditions, stay tuned for the next Mental Monday, which updates the first Monday of every month. Let’s talk then!
IMPORTANT DATES for mental health
25th July 2021
NATIONAL SCHIZOPHRENIA AWARENESS DAY
10th September 2021
WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY
10th October 2021
WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
11th - 17th October 2021
OCD AWARENESS WEEK
3rd November 2021
NATIONAL STRESS AWARENESS DAY
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