Summer Depression – Tips for Coping

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is very common, but many people think this only 
occurs in the winter when the weather is cold and gloomy, and the nights are longer. 
However, SAD can occur at any time of year, and many people see their depression 
worsening in the summer months.

Why Summer Depression?

The reasons for SAD at different times of the year are not always black and white. With 
people who get worsened depression symptoms in the winter, it seems more 
predictable since it is dark, gloomy, with more days spent indoors, more isolation, and 
less vitamin D from the sun. However, there are a different set of reasons for getting it 
during hot months. This might include body image issues with people wearing less 
clothing, having memories from a trauma that occurred in a previous summer, or just a 
cyclical type of depression that tends to occur at the same time every year.

Find Something Fun to do

This might be easier said than done, especially if you have low functioning depression 
where you don’t want to do anything or see anyone. However, if you can find the right 
reason to do something over the summer, it can make a big difference in how you feel. 
Try to find something fun you can do over the summer, whether it is with family and 
friends, or a solo activity. If you are okay with remaining isolated, don’t force yourself to 
do something you’re not comfortable with. Just find an activity you enjoy doing that 
makes summer at least a little easier to deal with.

Get Exercise When You Can

Endorphins are released to help lift your mood when you exercise, so it is never a bad 
thing. If it’s too hot in the summer to exercise outdoors, go to a gym or just dance 
around in your living room. You can even make it a group activity with your family, which 
is also great for you when you suffer from depression.

Replace Your Triggers

And lastly, you guessed it, reduce those triggers as much as possible. If you have a 
past trauma that occurred during the summer season, try to figure out what part of that 
trauma reminds you the most of it when summer comes around. It may be something 
very simple like a song, places you go, or just the beach. Avoid these types of triggers 
as much as you can. Is social media making you feel worse about your own isolation? 
Either try to reach out to people to spend time with, or just close social media to get rid 
of this trigger.

