Summer mental health concerns

Summer in Seattle: people look forward to it all year. It’s sunny; it’s warm. People are outside— hiking, socializing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and picnicking. Many Seattle-ites like, even love, this season. (I’m not one of those people. I’d rather put on a raincoat than sunscreen 100% of the time.) While summer gives folks a time to get outside and socialize, summer presents a time that leads to unique mental health challenges too.

Introverts’ nightmare

Seattle has this reputation for the Seattle-freeze, making it hard for folks who are new to the city to make new friends. If you’re an introvert, some relief you don’t need to interact with strangers may accompany that. When I first moved here, I heard Seattle is one of the most well-read cities with hypotheses that’s because it rains so much of the year we all stay inside reading. (My quick Google search produced inconsistent results about whether that’s the case.) Between not having to talk to strangers and getting to spend time reading, introverts can rejoice!

However, summer in Seattle has a reputation for bringing everyone out of hibernation. Social calendars get packed, not only with seeing friends in the area but out-of-towners flock to visit during summer. Thus, if you’re an introvert, summer can be absolutely overwhelming. You may want to see friends and family, and you may forget to schedule times to recharge. (To clarify a frequent misconception: introverts do enjoy the company of others; they just may enjoy more 1:1 time or deeper conversation than being at a bigger party or engaging in small talk.) While connecting with others over meals and time outdoors feels welcome, you may forget the importance of boundaries when trying to coordinate schedules and slowly— and maybe without realizing it—find yourself with plans every day of the week for weeks at a time. 

If you’re finding yourself feeling overwhelmed or extra-drained, it’s okay either to not schedule plans or to cancel plans. You don’t necessarily need to give excuses; you can just say “you’re busy” because you’re busy taking care of yourself or say something came up (like needing to tend to yourself).

Tempers flare

Tempers, anger, and aggression can flare when it’s hot outside. Psychological studies support this is the case, as do incidents of relationship violence. While heat doesn’t necessarily result in violence, it may be worth attending more closely to your own behavior and interactions with others. Do you find yourself becoming more irritable? Lashing out at others? Maybe picking fights or not responding to others calmly?

Knowing this correlation exists, you may wish to practice some more mindfulness in the midst of sweating. Check in with yourself about how you’re reacting to your surroundings or to other people. Are you finding yourself not responding with kindness when you’re doing something like waiting in line or at a music festival or concert? Are you finding you have less patience for your loved ones? Are you finding more conflict in those relationships?

Take the opportunity to notice your emotions and body sensations. If you’re not responding to others in ways with which you’re comfortable, maybe take a time out. Participate in some breathing exercises. Consider whether an apology that you’re not quite yourself is appropriate. Or maybe proactively decline invitations to participate in activities that you have a pretty good guess will incite your temper or lead to irritability. It’s okay to tell folks that you’re not feeling your best right now and need to decline an invitation. If you need more help controlling your temper or anger, anger management therapy may be a place to seek help and strategies. 

With respect to relationship violence, if you’re finding yourself the target of such violence, know you can get help. Reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.7233. If you live in King County, here are some resources for relationship violence. If you’re finding yourself harming or engaging in violence toward your partner, you can also reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline as a starting place to find help in stopping abusive behaviors.

Heat waves and wildfires

Summer’s also a time where folks across the country are reminded that the climate catastrophe is real. Already, the midwest and east coast have experienced a heatwave resulting in warnings being issued about heat domes and when to seek medical care for heat. Wildfires are already raging on the west coast; we don’t yet know how smoky or polluted with ash our air in Washington may be. (This continually makes planning camping trips harder and harder, as you don’t know if you’ll be safe or able to breathe.) The conditions around you may be forcing you to confront climate change, what it means for you, and any associated feelings if you aren’t doing so already.

You might want to consider resources for online Climate Cafes, which are places to talk about your feelings related to the climate crisis. (If you’re interested in an in-person one, please let me know! I’m planning to co-facilitate some in the next couple months!) You may want to check within your social circles if anyone wants to converse about feelings and what this means. You may wish to engage in activism within your community, particularly to see if you can help the areas around you most impacted (i.e., generally those areas with the least tree cover). Among places you can check if you want to get involved is 350.org, specifically in Seattle or Washington. Climate-aware therapists also work with folks specifically on emotions and responses to the climate catastrophe/climate crisis.

Summer seasonal affective disorder

Lots of us in Seattle know of seasonal affective disorder occurring during the gray or rainy months. While less common, some folks experience seasonal affective disorder during summer months. If you’re someone who experiences symptoms of depression, like irritability, trouble sleeping or restlessness all night, feeling a lack of energy, experiencing a lack of appetite, and decreased energy or ability to focus. Because those who experience depression during the summer may feel more agitated or irritable (as opposed to lethargic and overwhelmingly sad), suicidality could be a greater risk. 

Feeling differently, overly angsty, or irritable during summer could mean you’re depressed. If you are feeling depressed or having thoughts of suicide, take this seriously. You can call the 988 hotline or reach out to a therapist for help coping with your feelings. Don’t think that because people around you are feeling happy or being more active or apparently enjoying summer that your feelings aren’t valid or should be ignored. You may be experiencing depression that doesn’t appear like you think it should. Please reach out for help from a therapist, your doctor, or another medical provider.