Beat the Heat with These Mental Health Tips for a Relaxing Summer

Summertime can be a challenge, especially for people dealing with ongoing anxiety, depression, insomnia, or other mental health issues. Environmental changes, such as higher temperatures, increased flooding, and wildfire risk, may also add to the problem.

If your day-to-day living isn’t as cool as you’d like, there are plenty of ways to lower the heat. Caring board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner Bosede Iwuamadi, DNP, PMHNP, helps you handle depression and anxiety, insomnia, and more this summer and throughout the year via telehealth at Newstone Behavioral Health in Garland, Texas.

Turn SAD to glad

Although it’s more common during the winter, many people experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during the summer. Symptoms include:

• Low energy
• Appetite changes
• Insomnia
• Lack of interest in activities previously enjoyed

These problems may be due to ongoing mental health issues or changes in your summer routine. Additional daylight hours may also affect your internal clock, making sleep more difficult. 

Tips to beat the blues

Half an hour of moderate exercise each day helps reduce anxiety and depression. Dr. Iwuamadi also offers the following tips to help you tackle your summertime blues.

Maintain a regular schedule

Enjoy at least eight hours of sleep each night. Go to bed and wake up around the same time, whenever possible. Incorporate sleep, relaxation, exercise, friends and family, and plenty of fun into your everyday routine for a well-rounded summer.

Take advantage of additional sunlight

Spend more time outdoors whenever the weather permits. Soak up the sun to increase vitamin D and serotonin levels that boost your mood. If you’re working indoors, step outside during lunch to feel more grounded.

Engage in sports

Hiking, playing tennis, softball, or pickleball, or enjoying other physical activities, strengthens your mind and body. Instead of streaming movies, go for a swim. Take a walk around the neighborhood. 

Find a group of like-minded individuals and practice yoga or aerobics together in the park. Join a gym or local pool to make new friends and burn calories for a win-win situation.

Stay hydrated

Dress in light, breathable clothing. Drink more water, herbal tea, or healthy smoothies to replenish body and soul. Dehydration increases fatigue, so enjoy plenty of water-rich fruits, such as watermelon and berries, and limit alcohol, which tends to intensify anxiety and depression.

Eat lighter

Indulge in summer’s bountiful fruits and vegetables. Avoid heavy meals, and opt instead for fish, chicken, and healthy vegetarian fare.  

Explore new realms

Choose a vacation that inspires you this summer. Travel to a new spot that awakens your sense of wonder. If the cost stresses you out, look for bargains or simply enjoy a staycation and tour nearby towns.

What to watch out for this summer

Summertime may increase feelings of isolation. Remember, you don’t have to go it alone. Schedule pleasurable activities with an old friend or make new ones at local gatherings. Join a club or volunteer. Connecting with your community helps you feel more bonded with the world around you.

On the other hand, if you’re working too hard or feeling pressured to attend too many events, take time to relax and smell the roses. Enjoy the fruits of your labor by doing what feels best.

When it’s more than a summertime slump

If your depression and/or anxiety feel like more than seasonal affective disorder (SAD), it’s time to get help.

Dr. Iwuamadi discusses these and other mental health issues. Sometimes, simply managing your medication is the answer. Learn how to get the best out of summer before it gets the best of you. Contact us at Newstone Behavioral Health in Garland, Texas, today.