The sun is out and kids are having the time of their lives. Brighter days mean more time to get things done. Or are they? Have you heard of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)? It is not a foreign occurrence, and it does not need to happen only in the winter. You can get affected in a similar manner in the summer too. This is called Summer Depression. Since these feelings of being low and moody among others occur due to the change in the seasons, they are termed seasonal depression disorders.  A recent study has said that almost 2% of the Indian population suffers from SAD in the summer, but this is speculative and may be higher or lower. 

What is Summer Depression? 

The longer days and the shorter nights can trigger anxiety, change our sleep schedules and cause us to feel agitated and restless. All of these feelings are very valid and should not be brushed aside as just a funky thing that will go away in a few days. One of the main reasons for depression is the inability to maintain a proper routine. Timetables simply don’t exist in the summer because the kids are home, and our daily chores just pile up because we are not able to deal with them in a timely fashion. The inability to finish work can also make us feel off. The other triggers include – having to spend money on social obligations and outings or dealing with image issues (the urge to be a bikini babe hits hard in the summer, doesn’t it?).

What are the symptoms of Summertime SAD?

The symptoms are very similar to all the traits of clinical depression, but have a seasonal component to them. They are as follows:

1. Feeling sad or not being interested in anything
2. Hopelessness
3. Irritability and restlessness
4. Not feeling up to doing anything – loss of vitality
5. Sleep disturbance- either you sleep for too long or suffer from insomnia
6. Food intake patterns go whack
7. You may even present with digestive issues or an upset gut

Healthy Coping Mechanisms for Depression

Coping mechanisms play a vital role in navigating through our days which may feel like an endless maze. Also, the coping mechanisms used need to be healthy themselves. These are some tips for dealing with depression that you could consider, which could help brighten your outlook for this season. 

1. Try to stick to a routine. This will provide some much-needed structure to your day and you won’t feel lost. Also, add a slot for some “me-time”, so you don’t end up feeling overwhelmed. 
2. Food and hydration are important factors that determine our mood. 
3. Identifying your triggers helps a lot, so you can be prepared to deal with them. 
4. Setting up a sleep plan- keep your gadgets away, try some white noise, a warm bath or even melatonin gummies- whatever works for you and go with it. 
5. Never shut down your emotions. They are important and hence need to be acknowledged. Use meditation as a means to understand and handle them. 
6. Try to make a list of what you would like to do if you had to make today a great day and act on them. Eg of a plan- I would love to get a bouquet of flowers for myself. Action: I will go to the flower shop and indulge myself. 
7. Be vigilant about “depression traps”- like isolation, binge eating when in a bad mood, gambling or drinking too much. 
8. Stay home in the hottest hours of the day.
9. Reach out to other people or friends, and let them know that they may need to step up for you on occasion. There is nothing wrong with asking for help!
10. Look at yourself in the mirror and go- my body is beautiful and smart, and is doing everything it can to deal with this crazy heat. Give yourself grace. 
11. Lastly, do not ever be afraid of getting professional help.  

Conclusion

“Summertime Sadness” by Lana Del Rey is a beautiful and wistful number and there is nothing wrong with having any of those feelings. But dealing with them in the right way is extremely crucial for our continued well-being. The right treatment at the right time can help save us from ourselves.