Springtime is quickly approaching, and the new season may impact your mental health. As the seasons change, so do you. Additionally, springtime mental health can either improve or decline depending on your personality and what the new season holds.
Many people look forward to spring each year because with spring comes more sunshine, longer days, and the excitement of summer. How will spring impact your mental health? If you are just starting your journey of improved mental health, you may not know what to expect. However, individuals who have been managing their mental health for a while know what springtime can mean for their mental health.
Mental illness is unpredictable, but there are things you can do to prepare for it as best you can. You may find that spring is a time when you and your mental health thrive. Alternatively, this might be a time you've come to expect a nose dive. Either way, use this spring to learn what does and doesn't work for you and your mental health.
One thing to consider is how seasonal affective disorder (SAD) may impact your mental health. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes SAD as periods when individuals go through mood changes as the seasons change. Individuals may feel down — or experience the winter blues — when the days are shorter in the fall and winter, then feel better in the spring. In its most severe case, SAD can significantly impact your ability to function on a given day.
It is more typical for people to experience SAD symptoms during the fall and winter. However, some experience them in the spring and summer instead. While symptoms during the fall or winter are referred to as winter-pattern SAD, symptoms in spring and summer are referred to as summer-pattern SAD. Recognizing the signs and symptoms can help you determine if you are experiencing SAD as the seasons change.
Some of the SAD symptoms to watch out for may include:
In theory, springtime can be great for individuals struggling with a mental health condition. The cold winter months may force people to stay inside, get reduced sun exposure, and feel more isolated than in the summer months.
However, some research indicates that mania and suicide occur more frequently in the springtime. The reasons are still unclear, but this study states that people with mood disorders can experience “mania peaks during the spring.” Additionally, suicide rates rise potentially because of the “sudden increase in the duration and amount of sunlight.”
SAD may also peak during this time if you experience summer-pattern symptoms. That may include insomnia, weight loss from lack of appetite, anxiety, and violent behavior. Unfortunately, professionals have yet to pinpoint why these peaks occur. Could it be the impact of increased sunlight on our circadian rhythms? Perhaps it has something to do with the increase in allergens, which some research shows are connected to mental health problems.
Since we do not know the exact cause, vigilance is crucial so you can recognize your symptoms and identify how they correlate with the changing seasons.
Spring does not have to spell doom and gloom for your mental health. In fact, most people's mental health improves as spring comes around. You can get excited about springtime and the opportunities for healthy activities it brings with it.
Managing mental health conditions — such as anxiety, depression, mania, or SAD — requires a carefully constructed regiment of evidence-based modalities, medications, and holistic practices that improve overall wellness. For many, a holistic lifestyle includes exercise, nutrition, meditation, mindfulness-based practices, self-care, and hobbies or enjoyable activities. Some of these hobbies or activities may be things you can only do once the warm weather rolls around.
For example, many people who love surfing must wait until spring or summer to enjoy this activity. Other people enjoy gardening and find it soothing for their mental health, but gardening typically occurs in the spring and summer. Whatever the activity, long and sunny days are a breath of fresh air for some people, and they spend all winter waiting for it to come back around, especially those experiencing winter-pattern SAD.
There are several other outdoor activities you can focus on to get you excited for springtime mental health. You might hike, carve out time each day for an outdoor walk, or take up a sport. Opportunities are endless as you seek to improve your symptoms as the season changes.
Sometimes, people do not consider all the factors that can potentially help or harm their overall mental health. One thing, in particular, we may forget to consider is how the seasons can impact our mental health, especially when trying to cope with a mental health condition. It's common for people to experience intense mood swings as the seasons change, which is known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This typically occurs in the fall and winter, but many people experience symptoms in the spring or summer. If you experience SAD in the spring and summer, you may need to prioritize improving your springtime mental health in the coming months. For more information, call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400.
