Summertime is considered a time of year for having fun, spending time in the sun, going to the beach, and taking vacations. However, for some people, the summer is not as much fun. Seasonal depression can happen in any season, but for those who experience it in the summertime, there are a variety of activities that can help brighten dark moods and lift depression. While seasonal depression is a mental condition that can be helped by receiving treatment, it is also important to seek the advice of a licensed mental health professional to see whether or not you need major depression treatment.
Five Fun Activities to Try For Seasonal Depression in the Summer
Even if you don’t quite feel like it, participating in summer activities for depression can have many benefits that will work to lift feelings of depression or at least relieve some of the symptoms and side effects, such as poor appetite or trouble sleeping. Here are some things to try in the summer to alleviate depression:
- Gardening – Studies have shown that working in a garden can lessen the symptoms of depression, so even if you just have a few houseplants, gardening can be a great activity to try. One of the added benefits of growing some vegetables is that, when you harvest them, you can eat healthy food, which is always a good thing to do.
- Experience the outdoors – Whatever part of the country you live in, summertime is a great time to get outside and see what your area has to offer. Whether hiking or picnicking, being in the fresh air and sunlight can help lift your mood and improve your health.
- Try some new recipes – Summer is the perfect time to experiment with new foods and beverages. Imagine sitting on your back porch with a nice glass of blackberry tea or a refreshing bowl of fruit sorbet.
- Take a walk in the park – Being in a place where there are other people, even if you don’t interact much with them, can help ease feelings of loneliness and depression. Walking in the park also provides exercise, which can help if you are having problems sleeping.
- Go swimming – Think of how relaxing it feels to float in water, listening to the sound of lapping waves, weightless and without a care in the world. This is why swimming is a great activity to try in the summer if you are having feelings of depression. Swimming also improves appetite and promotes healthy sleep.
How to Know if You Need Help for Depression
Trying different activities can be helpful, but when depression strikes, many people find that they need help to turn things around. Unfortunately, one of the main features of depression is that it makes everything seem hard and hopeless. The good news is that there are many treatments and therapies available for depression, whether caused by seasonal issues or other factors. If you have been feeling depressed for a while now, or if you have had other episodes of depression before, it would be wise to consult a mental health counselor. This is especially true if you have been having thoughts of hurting yourself – there is always hope for healing, no matter how bad things seem right now.
True Life Center Can Help You Heal From Depression
At our treatment center in San Diego, we use a unique approach to mental health treatment based on a concept called ‘neurobiological integration,’ meaning that patients’ physical and mental well-being are both important to the overall healing process. If you or someone you care about has been struggling with depression, don’t hesitate. Reach out to us today at 866.420.1792 and begin your journey back to health.
