Everyone is having fun in the sun – why can’t I?

Seasonal affect disorder (SAD) occurs mostly in the winter, but some can experience those feelings during the summer months as well.

This is called Reverse SAD. Longer time spent in heat and humidity, disrupted sleep schedules, self-consciousness with body image, and late nights could lead those with Reverse SAD to experience the following:

• Decrease in appetite
• Feeling agitated or irritable
• Difficulty sleeping

If you are struggling with low mood and anxious thoughts this summer, give one of the following tips a try to boost your mood:

• Create a schedule. Take time to get organized. This will help reduce the stress of the change in you or your family member’s schedules.
• Plan a fun activity. Have a picnic with a friend or plan an afternoon at a local pool. Try to plan something fun every few weeks, so you have something to look forward to.
• Accomplish something each day. Check something small off your to-do list, such as doing the dishes, going for a walk or scheduling that appointment. Then, celebrate the small success along the way.

Learn to Live offers support for you this summer and throughout the year. 

Learn to Live, Inc. is an independent company offering online tools and programs for behavioral health support on behalf of BCBSND.