Summertime Stress
A couple weeks ago I wrote about the impacts of stress and various things that buffer us from said impacts. You can check that post out here: Stress 101
I'd like to continue the conversation and bring some awareness to the fact that stress doesn't magically melt away in the heat of the summer.
I'm sure you have experienced times when the heat of summer did just the opposite! But while overheating and dehydration are definitely hard on us, that's not exactly what I'm talking about.
If you're signed up for my newsletter, this will be a bit of review for you. But I'm diving a little deeper today, so stay with me.
Photo by Chris Galbraith on Unsplash
Summer can bring about a lot of stress.
For some people, hotter days are a major trigger for body image issues. Thankfully, we are seeing a lot of momentum in the body positive movement; it definitely seems like we are shifting in what we consider acceptable as a society. Amen!
But there is a long way to go still. Even with an increase in representation of "normal" bodies in the media, the vast majority of icons and influencers are of a certain physique, and that leaves many people feeling inferior, and ashamed of their bodies. So when it comes time to wear bathing suits and other body-revealing clothing, many folks can get pretty freaked out.
For students and educators the extended summer vacation can be a relief, but the relief can come with a decreased sense of purpose, routine and structure, which can all impact mental health in a big way.
For parents, increased child care demands can place extra strain on their finances and schedule. Keeping kids active, entertained, and happy over the summer months can be expensive if you're not careful. And parents need downtime too, which can be hard to come by in the summer.
And I would be remiss not to acknowledge the pressure social media puts on all of us to be forever adventuring and memory making, lest we be missing out on life. I don't know if there is research on this but I would bet money that there's an increase of FOMO in the summer months.
On top of the unique stressors that summertime brings, it seems easy to let some fundamental pieces of self-care slip too.
Photo by ian dooley on Unsplash
Exercise is much less appealing when it's scorching hot, particularly for people who opt to workout outside (because it's relatively low-cost, far more entertaining than the gym IMO, and fresh air is lovely!). So we become a little more sedentary in an effort to stay cool (‘cause who wants to go to the gym? LOL).
Cooking seems absurd on those hot days too - so we reach for foods of convenience that tend to be less nutritionally balanced. This might be easier on us in some ways, but can disrupt the health of our gut, which is strongly related to our mental health.
Research suggests that alcohol consumption - both frequency and quantity - increases in the summer as well. And as much as I love a yummy glass of wine or cold beer on a hot day, there are inarguable negative effects of overuse of alcohol on mental health.
And the longer days typically mean we are not getting as much sleep as we truly need for optimal health.
As I am writing this I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the ways stress can go up and self-care can go down in relation to summer...
Of course summer is not all bad. Lots of social events and an increased focus on relaxation is amazing - but this season calls for it's own special understanding and practice of balance - which is what I am hoping to point out here.
As you read my posts I hope you start to integrate the understanding that when stress goes up, and self-care goes down - life gets harder.
And that is just a reality of being human. So if you're noticing less resilience as summer revs into high gear - know you are not an anomaly.
It's a challenging cycle to be in.
I have had pretty big struggles in mental health over the years, and I know, personally and professionally, that getting out of the cycle can seem impossible sometimes.
Photo by Sage Friedman on Unsplash
But, I wouldn't be in this line of work if I didn't relentlessly believe in the ability to change and grow. It is completely possible.
It takes patience. It takes some work. It takes a supportive and stable environment. And it is completely possible.
Don't buy into what Alan Jackson says - there is too a cure for the summertime blues!
And it starts with simple awareness.
Try making a summertime ritual out of checking in with yourself to simply notice how you're doing this season.
Get curious about how you're feeling.
Is an increase in alcohol use and a decrease in quality sleep leading to lower energy and mood lately? Is a lack of exercise and an increase in junk food causing you to feel sluggish and listless? Are you irritable? Run down? Lacking motivation? Are you feeing isolated and overwhelmed by body-related stress?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, first offer yourself some compassion.
In the words of psychoanalyst Carl Jung,
"We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses."
So, offer yourself the gift of acceptance and acknowledge these things as simply existing in your life right now, without judgement. Maybe even find a little gratitude for your body signaling you to your human needs of rest, proper nutrition, and so on.
Then ask yourself what you need to feel a little more healthy, a little more ok, a little more rested, a little more comfortable, and a little more cared for. And do your best to take a small step towards fulfilling your needs.
Even if that tiny step is simply taking one big deep breath in… and letting it go.
Even a tiny step forward is a step forward.
And if you’re curious about whether counselling may be a helpful resource, check out my recent posts:
Three Benefits of Mental Health Counselling and Mental Health Vs. Mental Illness
Wishing you wellness,
Kirsten