Kent Golf Limited
Summer Anxiety Tips
By our Mental Health 1st Aider Rachael Walsh
Date published: 13 Jul 2023
We all know the weather plays a vital role in our mood. The winter gloom, with cloudy skies, cold temperatures, and grey weather, can even cause Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and depression. While those of us who suffer look forward to the summer months, warm weather comes with its own set of affects on the human body and mind.
Some of the affects that have been widely reported are:
1. An increase in the quantity of anxiety and panic attacks
2. Reduced and significantly lesser quality of sleep.
Summer anxiety is a real issue for many and is mainly caused by the increase in the heat and humidity. Sufferers feel restless, irritable, and unable to concentrate fully. It isn’t just the thermometer you need to watch. Your actions and behaviour, as the mercury rises, can be affected in a big way. As a rule, we are busier in the warmer months. Trips to the park, walks outside, golfing and vacations all increase in frequency. This can naturally increase your anxiety, but what other area’s of our body and life are affected?
The brain – A high number of people have experienced and regularly suffer with panic attacks this can happen year-round. But an increase in temperature can trigger a panic attack more frequently. When your body becomes too hot, you experience symptoms like those with panic attacks. For many sufferers this results in an attack. It is important you stay hydrated in the warmer weather.
Sleep, or lack of. As previously mentioned, a change to daylight hours has a huge impact on the quantity and more importantly, quality of our sleep.
So, how can you help yourself get through the summer season? Try following the simple steps below:
1. Keep your body cool by wearing loose, cotton clothing, opt for light colours that reflect the heat, rather than the dark colours that absorb it.
2. Use a fan to keep the bedroom cool at night.
3. Drink plenty of water, dehydration is known to trigger anxiety.
4. Stay out of the kitchen. Summer is not the time for casseroles and roast dinners. Choose a salad or lighter meals.
5. Take cool showers or fill the bathtub with cooler water.
6. Spritz yourself. Fill a spray bottle with cool water and spray yourself for an instant, refreshing, cooling affect.
7. Keep windows and curtains closed through the hottest part of the day. Open them when the sun goes down.
8. When away from home, carry a hat and cool water.
The most important advice… don’t be too hard on yourself. This will make things worse. Talk to yourself kindly and be patient. Your life is a work in progress. Practice positive thinking on a daily basis. Simply focus on being the best version of you.
>> Visit our Mental Health First Aider & Resources page
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