“One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter.”
– Henry David Thoreau
I hope you had a great summer!
As a psychologist, I often get asked if I’m busier in the winter than summer.
While I take more time off of work in the summer months (which results in fewer appointments), I still see roughly the same number of people in July (summer) as I would in February (winter).
But while I still have the same number of clients per week, I see a difference in the types of issues people come to counselling for.
More specifically, I find that in the summer months, I see fewer cases of people with depression or mood-related concerns.
Now, to be clear, I still see clients who are struggling with a depressed mood. After all, depression is an illness that can grip a person at any time in the year or any time in life.
It’s just that in my practice, I see fewer cases of depression in the summer months than in the winter months.
Why is this the case? Here are a few reasons for explaining why many people have an improved mood in the summer than in the winter. They also represent strategies for living a more balanced life.
Strategies for Managing Your Mood During Summer
1. An improvement in diet.
In the summer, people tend to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and drink more water. These are all staples of a healthy diet. Overall, many of my clients report eating better in the summer than in the winter months.
Food changes mood. When you eat better, you also feel better.
2. More social gatherings and interactions.
Research has shown that relationships are the strongest predictors of happiness in life. Over this past summer, I spent quality time with my immediate and extended family.
Those interactions and moments of connection elevated my spirit. Conversing with extended family and friends gives me a sense of connectedness and bonding that improves my mood and mental health.
3. More time outside.
During COVID, gyms and exercise facilities were closed. As a result, if people didn’t exercise at home, most would get their exercise by going for walks.
During this time, I came across several articles discussing the benefits of spending time in greenspace (e.g., trees, forests, parks, and other wilderness environments.)
To summarize research in this area, spending time in nature can reduce stress, improve mood, boost cognitive function, and improve overall well-being. Spending more time outdoors in the presence of greenspace is, I believe, one of the factors why most of my clients don’t typically complain of low mood during the summer months as they might in the winter months.
4. More physical activity.
One of the recommendations I often make to clients who are struggling with depression is to engage in more physical activity.
I specifically recommend walking, a simple activity that requires no expensive equipment or gym memberships. However, it’s harder to get motivated and walk during winter when it’s cold and dark most of the day.
When you feel like your mod is dropping, put on your shoes and go outside for a short walk. This simple activity can increase your heart rate, leading to a change in mood.
Small Changes Can Lead to Improved Mood
In about six weeks or so (just after Halloween), stores will start changing their displays to accommodate Christmas and winter merchandise. It can feel depressing just thinking about it.
But when you look at the list above, it’s a reminder that you can do many simple things to improve your mood throughout the year.
Eating more balanced meals, connecting with close friends and family, spending time in nature (even if the leaves have already fallen off), or just spending some time outside can all create a positive shift in how you feel.
Add these small changes to your routine, and you can significantly change your overall well-being.
Richard