Forget seasonal depression
I know everyone and their mother knows about seasonal depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. To make a long story about crappy weather and crying short, people often experience irritability, insomnia, lack of energy, lack of motivation, and overall terrible feelings during certain seasons. These uncomfortable emotions most commonly arise in the fall and winter, as daylight saving happens and temperatures drop.
One of the biggest reasons people tend to fall back into depressive episodes directly after getting out of them is that they struggle with taking the first step in the right direction. This cycle is repetitive, hard to avoid, and no one wants to experience it. We usually always have something in mind we want to do, but we never go through with it, constantly saying, “Oh, I’ll do it tomorrow!” until it’s next week. It’s super hard to get back on track with life after being lethargic all winter because of the bitter cold preventing you from doing anything outside.
As much as everyone talks about how sucky winter is, and how everyone wishes winter break was three weeks instead of two, it’s also important to note the changes that happen after winter. When you’re finally able to wear shorts to school again and schedules fill up like fresh glasses of lemonade.
Check the weather app and take a look outside. We’ve officially made it. Somehow, some way, the students of MHS have survived the darkest days of the year. Now that the sun is shining again, what comes next? Well, instead of exploring the cliche idea of seasonal depression, we want to shift the focus toward a more uplifting, less talked-about idea: seasonal happiness.
Why am I suddenly happy?
In the morning, some good ole vitamin D does more than give you a tan-like glow. The vital nutrient helps your body with your blood cells and immune system. Sunlight also produces serotonin, a chemical in your brain that regulates mood. You may feel happier, calmer, and more focused when your serotonin levels are normal. This all leads back to going outside and getting sunshine.
Summer sets up the perfect opportunities to increase serotonin. When daylight saving time happens again in the spring, the days gradually get longer and brighter. The increase in sunlight directly increases serotonin levels in the brain.
How can we make happiness last?
There are plenty of unique methods of holding onto happiness, but these five are universal and generally easy to access.
Social interaction
Meeting up with friends for a picnic is the perfect way to get outside and catch up with people. As long as you spend time with other people, the activity doesn’t matter. The ideas of what to do are endless, especially in the summer, when everyone can get creative and find their favorite thing to do.
Why not host a little get-together in your backyard? You could have a Bonfire, cookout, or projector movie nights. Invite a few friends and family and enjoy the presence of those you love, and let it soak in. People tend to overcomplicate things when it comes to the warmer weather, but it doesn’t have to be that difficult.
An all-day idea is camping. Get up early in the morning, set up your tent, and have the whole day to go hiking around. Maybe go stomping around in a creek, go for a swim, and grill some nice steak. In the evening, reside near a warm fire, and roast some sweet s’mores. A different, less outdoorsy idea is going on a road trip with friends. Pack up a duffle bag, leave your little hometown, and go somewhere big! Spend the afternoon riding around and blasting music till your eardrums burst. Enjoy the rest of the night and relish in relaxation when you wake up in an Airbnb without anyone nagging you about school or work.
Exercise
Exercise is a mode of boosting serotonin, so anything from a simple walk to busting a move on Just Dance would work. Whatever works for you to get some movement in will make your body and mind feel better.
Take advantage of being outside! Go out and play. Go to that park nearby, go on a nice bike ride around your town, blow some bubbles, and pretend to be a kid again. If you’re looking for a different approach, try to do something crazy! Wake up when the sun starts to rise and challenge yourself to stay up purely to enjoy the beautiful sunrise.
Even the smallest adventures can get you back on track; moving around is the key to getting motivated.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is acknowledging the present moment, processing, and accepting one’s feelings through thoughts. It is important to regulate emotions and cope with the stressors of life, and mindfulness is one of the methods used to do this. Practicing mindfulness can also increase your awareness of how your mood changes from season to season, allowing you to better anticipate and combat triggers before they overwhelm you.
Practices look different from one person to another, like meditation, reading, or taking a day for self-care. Trying something akin to these practices might help you further understand your emotions and help create healthier coping habits.
Routines
Keeping a routine can be something you keep up with year-round, but with end-of-the-year burnout, it’s hard to stick to things. Summer provides extra time to make new routines and stick to them without worrying about school or sports getting in the way. It can help you feel more in control, manage stress, and live life more enjoyably.
A routine can change how the entire day goes. A great idea for a routine is doing something that makes you happy every single day.
Sunlight
Light therapy is easily accessible, since everyone can go outside and get some sun. You can also multitask and do any of the other serotonin boosting methods while outside. One idea is basking in the sun in your backyard. Watch the paleness from the cold wash away and let your skin flush from the sun’s warmth. It’s free, and you don’t even have to go anywhere. Invite a friend, play some music, and have a good time soaking up some sun.
Final Thoughts
Although it is possible (and common) to feel sad throughout the summer, there are many ways to work through these tough feelings. Whether it’s tanning outside or just practicing a deep breathing method, there are plenty of solutions to that end-of-the-year slump that school puts all of us in. For those who prefer the colder months rather than the warmer ones, try and hang on for winter.
