Winter is finally over, and before long, summer will be here. Whether you’re someone who thrives during the hottest months of the year or you find this time to be a challenge for your mental health, we have some tips to help you optimize your well-being over the next few months. At Palms Behavioral Health, in Harlingen, Texas, we treat acute mental and behavioral health issues, which include supporting families with a loved one who is struggling with their psychiatric well-being.
How Summer Can Take a Toll on Mental Health
Not everyone finds summer to be a welcome ray of sunshine. For many people, this time of year can be a challenge.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder. Although many people are familiar with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) as a phenomenon that results in depressive symptoms in the winter months, not everyone with this condition has trouble during the cooler months. For some people, they experience a decline in mood during the summer months, with symptoms that may include insomnia, decreased appetite, weight loss, increased anxiety, and irritability.
- Change in routine. Summer is also a time when many people experience a change in their routines. Structure and routine are a crucial part of managing mental health conditions, but for many, summer is a time when school is out, leaving children and adolescents with a lot of free time and parents wondering how to keep them busy and preserve their mental health.
- Heat. The heat may cause people to isolate themselves from others to stay cool. This physical comfort can come at the cost of emotional well-being.
- Travel. Even for people who have the opportunity to travel, this can result in overspending during vacation, leading to stress when they return home and have to face the reality of their financial choices.
Ways to Nurture Mental Health This Summer
If you know or suspect that summer is going to pose a challenge for your mental health or the mental health of your child, it’s a good idea to think ahead about how you will manage the situation. Some ways to nurture your mental health this summer include:
- Build structure into your days. Whether the disruption to the school year routine is your biggest worry or not, having a plan for how you will use your free time is a great way to keep mental health on track. Your summer routine does not have to look like the rest of the year, but having a plan that involves things you look forward to doing, self-care activities, or just a reason to get out of bed can be very helpful. Structure can cut down on decision fatigue, decrease stress levels, and reduce unwanted behaviors in children.
- Create a calendar. It can be particularly helpful for children to know what to expect. Get input from your children and try to plan a combination of fun activities and projects that will help your children feel like they have accomplished something. The Crisis Text Line also has summer mental health tool kits that parents can download, based on the ages of their children, to help them create fun memories with their family, which will support mental health. Trips to the library, zoo, aquarium, museums, parks, and local community events are great starting points.
- Incorporate exercise. Exercise is linked to reducing mental health symptoms, so it is an especially good idea to continue to keep your body moving during the hotter months. When the weather is especially hot, you may have to use more creativity to ensure that you’re getting in a workout. Early morning or late evening may offer a reprieve from the heat of the day, or you may find it earlier to exercise indoors or swim, to reduce the effects of the heat. Include your children in your exercise routine to help them stay active and ensure they are sleeping well at night.
- Pay attention to what you’re putting into your body. The food and beverages you consume are your body’s fuel. What you eat and drink impacts the nourishment that your brain receives, which directly influences your mental health. Though many people like to indulge in cocktails while on vacation, alcohol is a depressant, and overconsumption can lead to short-term and long-term health consequences, so think twice before ordering that fruity umbrella drink.
- Try gardening – It can get you outside, keep your body moving, and grow fresh produce all at once. This is also a great way to teach kids about nutrition and keep them busy.
- Help kids stay connected to their friends – while children and adolescents often look forward to time off from school, they may also miss their friends during the summer months. If possible, try to make time when they can see their peers or at least encourage them to communicate via phone, text, or social media.
At Palms Behavioral Health, we offer inpatient and comprehensive outpatient treatment for acute psychiatric issues. Our patients include adolescents, adults, and older adults.
